Turnbull to call for elections to be held on July 2

Melbourne

AUSTRALIAN Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull confirmed on Wednesday that he would call an election within the next week to be held on July 2, looking to cash in on a budget plan aimed at creating jobs and spurring growth.

The conservative government delivered a spending plan on Tuesday that effectively doubled as the launch of its election campaign, after Mr Turnbull said that he planned to use a political deadlock over industrial relations to dissolve parliament. Mr Turnbull is betting that Tuesday's budget focus on jobs and growth will win back voters disaffected with his government's policy inaction and rejuvenate his bid to win an Australian election to be called within days.