Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has announced that Australians will go to the polls on September 7. 
Rudd says he saw Governor-General Quentin Bryce earlier this afternoon and asked her to call the federal election for September 7.
He says in the days leading to the election, he’ll be talking to Australians about education, jobs creation and the National Broadband Network.
“It’s on. A few moments ago I saw the Governor-General and asked that she dissolve this parliament and call the federal election for September 7,” he said in an email.
“Australians now face a choice. And the choice couldn’t be starker.
“I have a positive vision about the country we can be.
“In this election I’ll be talking with Australians across the county about better schools for our kids, investing so we can create good jobs, and about how the NBN can help keep our economy strong.”
Rudd arrived in Canberra from his hometown of Brisbane just about 2.38pm and arrived at Yarralumla around 3.10pm, leaving just 13 minutes later.
Rudd appeared to downplay the likelihood of a September 7 election on Saturday when he told reporters he wanted to attend the G20 summit in St Petersberg just days before.
But on Sunday he announced Victoria had signed on to the schools funding deal, and Western Australia on disability care.
AAP
