John Howard avoided election speculation today, while his deputy said the government isn't running scared of voters by holding off on the poll.
The PM who has trailed Labor in opinion polls by a wide margin gave no clues about the election date today ahead of attending the NRL grand final in Sydney tonight.
Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile rejected the suggestion that going beyond October 9 the third anniversary for the 2004 election suggests Mr Howard is afraid of the electorate.
On a weekend of the two football grand finals Mr Vaile said the sporting calendar interferes a little bit with political objectives at this time of the year.
Mr Vaile said events like the grand finals Melbourne Cup and Christmas retail season figure in election planning.
He would not comment on Treasurer Peter Costello apparent slip yesterday that the poll could be held on November 24.