CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia's prime minister says the nation will have an early election on July 2.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Wednesday that he would go to the governor general before the constitutional deadline of Wednesday next week to call a July 2 election.

Turnbull told Seven Network television: "I can assure you there will be an election on the 2nd of July."

He said he was likely to go the governor general at the weekend to officially start the campaign

Turnbull's center-right coalition is seeking a second three-year term.