Fed: Punters put their money on Nov 10 election day

AAP General News (Australia)
08-27-2007
Fed: Punters put their money on Nov 10 election day

By Colin Brinsden

CANBERRA, Aug 27 AAP - Most punters are putting their money on Prime Minister John
Howard calling a federal election on Saturday, November 10.

Bookmaker Sportingbet Australia says November 10 odds have come in to $4 from $8, with
the second most popular being November 24, which has been backed in to $4.50, down from
$7.

Sportingbet Australia CEO Michael Sullivan says punters are convinced the nation will
be heading for an election in November.

"There's been very little support for an October election and nothing for December
except a sprinkle of money for December 1.

"November 10 has been backed in from $8.00 to $4.00, with one punter standing to collect
$15,000 if that is the chosen day."

This is contrary to recent speculation that an election would be called on October
20 or October 27 so that the coalition government could avoid the risk of another politically
damaging interest rate rise on November 7.

The Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) board is due to meet on November 6, its first
gathering after the October 24 release of consumer price index data for the September
quarter.

The RBA raised rates earlier this month in the wake of an unexpected spike in inflation
in the June quarter.

"We're all watching to see if Spring Carnival stays on schedule - if the Melbourne
Cup was to be moved (because of the Equine Influenza outbreak), the election dates market
would get a shake-up," Mr Sullivan says.



WHAT SATURDAY WILL THE FEDERAL ELECTION BE HELD?

Sportingbet Australia Prices



October 6th 15.00

October 13th 8.50

October 20th 6.50

October 27th 6.50

November 3rd 5.75

November 10th 4.00

November 17th 5.50

November 24th 4.50

December 1st 7.50

December 8th 8.00

December 15th 9.00

December 22nd 15.00

December 29th 21.00

Any Saturday during August/September 26.00

Any Saturday during January or beyond 13.00



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KEYWORD: VOTE BET

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