AFL final could be election day

{rime Minister Kevin Rudd at Casuarina Shopping Centre in Darwin. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Limited

Joe Hockey says the federal government should call the election to give more certainty to business.

KEVIN Rudd's choices for the election date are centred around three key Saturdays with September 21 - the AFL's preliminary final day - emerging as a favourite among some of those close to the Prime Minister.

But senior sources insist Mr Rudd has made no final decision about when to go to the polls, and say August 31 is also a hot chance and October 19 a strong option.

They say other dates have not been ruled out and there are many variables and unexpected twists that could change his options.

September 21 will be Mr Rudd's 56th birthday and would give him time to show he has changed his ways, overhauled Labor's rules to lure back supporters and fixed key policies.

It's only one week later than Julia Gillard's plan for a September 14 poll, which should calm business criticism about uncertainty.

Mr Rudd's move to hold a meeting of Labor's 102 MPs on July 22 to approve giving rank-and-file members a vote for party leader and discuss election tactics and policy changes makes an August 24 election almost impossible.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd at Casuarina Shopping Centre in Darwin. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Limited

There must be 33 days between the election writs being issued and polling day.

August 31 is now the first real possibility and is being pushed by some who have advised Mr Rudd of the danger in waiting too long.

September 7 is unlikely because it is just two days after the G20 summit in Russia where Australia will be given the prestige chairmanship. Mr Rudd could make a mid-campaign trip to St Petersburg and invite Tony Abbott along.

September 14 clashes with Yom Kippur, September 28 is the AFL Grand Final and October 5 coincides with the NRL grand final.

October 12 is the Bali bombing anniversary.

October 19 is Mr Rudd's best option if he wants to delay the poll but Parliament would have to sit in August.

Mr Rudd has until November 30 to hold the election.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was greeted like a rock star at Casuarina Shopping Centre in Darwin. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Limited

"I say to Kevin Rudd, what are you hiding from? Give it back to the Australian people.

Name the date, end the suspense, let's have an election."

Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey said Mr Rudd's focus on changing rules for electing the ALP leader showed he was behaving like "a Labor emperor" and was too busy talking about himself instead of the needs of small businesses and families.

Mr Rudd visited Darwin where he gave his support to "fantastic candidate" Nova Peris, who was controversially Ms Gillard's "captain's pick" for the Senate over his friend Trish Crossin.

Mr Rudd said it was very tough for Senator Crossin but he was taking advice from the NT ALP.

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