Internal Liberal polling has revealed real concern for Tony Abbott with the former prime minister facing a 12 percent swing which could see him pushed out of his blue-ribbon Sydney seat of Warringah.
It is now believed Prime Minister Scott Morrison has decided against visiting the governor-general today, effectively ruling out May 11 as the election date.
Australians are now expected to go to the polls on May 18.
Labor has savaged Mr Morrison's reluctance to fire the starter's gun on the election claiming the prime minister is buying himself more time to sell his economic and security messages.
Labor is banking on gains around Melbourne, with the seats of Chisholm, Casey, La Trobe, Dunkley, and Corangamite up for grabs.
While the Coalition are hoping to pick up the Victorian regional seat of Indi from retiring independent MP Cathy McGowan.
Opposition frontbencher Anthony Albanese dismissed suggestions the prime minister was delaying the poll to navigate the upcoming Easter and Anzac day public holidays.
"If you believe that I've got a bridge I can sell you," Mr Albanese told Sky News.
Labor believes the election has been pushed back so the government can exploit taxpayer-funded advertising.
Mr Albanese estimates the coalition is spending more than $600,000 per day on partisan ads.
"This is a farce," he said.
The prime minister made light of the feverish election timing speculation when he ducked out to watch a junior rugby game on Saturday morning.
"All these guys (reporters) think I'm going to Canberra in the morning," Mr Morrison told onlookers in Sydney.
The delay will allow coalition MPs time to return to their electorates and gauge community reaction to the federal budget.
On the downside for the coalition, the Senate is scheduled to hold a week of budget estimates, which could potentially prove damaging.
A Galaxy poll published by the News Corp tabloids has highlighted the issues of greatest concern to voters ahead of the election.
Cost of living is the biggest gripe across all demographics, with power bills the biggest household stress.
Health ranks second on the list of of concerns, while climate change and the environment is a bigger concern among baby boomers than among millennials.
