Photo opportunity for Coalition MPs with Prime Minister Tony Abbott could signal early election

Updated

It's the kind of minor event that causes the earth to shake in Canberra.

An innocuous email was sent out from Prime Minister Tony Abbott's office to Coalition troops this morning.

It reads:

Dear Members and Senators Ahead of the recess, a number of MPs have requested updated working photographs with the Prime Minister this week to use in local electorate materials. To ensure everyone has the opportunity if needed, the Press Office have created a slot in the Prime Minister's programme today between 4pm-5pm today. Any MP wanting an updated photograph is welcome to drop around. Regards Peta Credlin Chief of Staff Office of the Prime Minister

In the rarefied atmosphere of Parliament, every Prime Ministerial move is deeply scrutinised.

So, depending on your level of paranoia, this photo op either means:

A — "Oh goodie, there is an opportunity to update my working photograph with the Prime Minister this afternoon"; or

B — "Hell, there's going to be an election between now and August 10".

The news will undoubtedly send a shudder through the ranks of the Labor Party, which is convinced the Prime Minister is poised to go early.

Political parties understand the processes needed to gear up for an election, and a straw in the wind is the mandatory photo with the PM for local electioneering.

More than a dozen Coalition MP's took the Prime Minister's Office up on the offer, including frontbencher Paul Fletcher, Government Whip Andrew Nikolic and the man who instigated the spill for the Liberal leadership in February, Luke Simpkins.

Backbenchers Dennis Jensen, Matt Williams, Rowan Ramsey, Teresa Gambaro and Andrew Southcott were also seen wandering down the corridor to the Prime Minister's office.

Some were armed with maps and props.

That said, Coalition ministers are adamant there will be no snap poll.

The Prime Minister has given the idea short shrift.

"I would certainly advise anyone thinking that way to, in the old terminology, have a Bex and a long lie down," Mr Abbott said.

"Because this is a Government that was elected to govern for three years.

"I think what you've seen over the last fortnight is probably the most productive fortnight in this term of Parliament.

"I want to build on that and not cut it short."

Topics: federal-elections, abbott-tony, federal-parliament, government-and-politics, australia, parliament-house-2600

First posted