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Andrew Brown

Cyclone threat could blow federal poll call off course

Federal government plans to call an early election could be derailed as a tropical cyclone looms. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)

Major political parties are fine tuning their election preparations, but those plans may have a spanner thrown in the works due to an approaching natural disaster.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrived in Brisbane on Tuesday night as Tropical Cyclone Alfred bore down on southeast Queensland.

The category two system is set to make landfall on Thursday, or early Friday, bringing heavy rainfall and destructive winds.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has activated a disaster response plan ahead of his Brisbane visit.

The prime minister is receiving regular briefings on the weather system, with the federal government also activating its disaster response plan.

It comes as Mr Albanese is expected to visit the Governor-General to call an election in coming days, but he played down questions on whether the cyclone would affect the timing of when voters head to the polls.

"We're governing, and that's what we're doing ... I know there's others (who) are interested in election timing. What I'm interested in is getting things done on behalf of the country," the prime minister said.

An election must be held by May 17, but there is growing expectation the prime minister will call an election to be held on April 12.

Giant sandbags are laid at Caloundra
The prime minister is receiving regular cyclone briefings as residents prepare for the onslaught.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has called for the government to hand down a federal budget on March 25 before an election is held.

"If the prime minister doesn't have good news in the budget, which would seem to be the case, then he's likely to run to an election early," he said.

"The prime minister should stick to the timetable of the Parliament returning, so the Budget can be delivered."

Meanwhile, the federal government on Wednesday will unveil a multi-million dollar boost to help people with disabilities get into work.

More than 30 organisations will share in $14.6 million of funding for the supported employment sector, which provides assistance to people with disabilities in the workplace.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said the funding would help to provide a meaningful job to thousands of people.

"We understand that most people with disability want to work but unfortunately face many barriers to finding and maintaining suitable employment," she said.

"Funding under this grant round will be delivered across various locations around Australia, ensuring people with high support needs can reap both the social and economic benefits that employment can provide."

It's estimated 16,000 people with a disability are working in supported employment.

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