Newspoll: 55-45 to Coalition
GhostWhoVotes tweets that the latest fortnightly Newspoll has the Coalition’s two-party preferred lead at 55-45, from primary votes of 32 per cent for Labor (up two on last time) and 46 per cent for the Coalition (up one). The personal ratings are good news for Tony Abbott: his approval rating is up four to 36 per cent and his disapproval is down three to 52 per cent, and he has opened up a lead over Julia Gillard as preferred prime minister of 40 per cent (up three) to 37 per cent (down three). Julia Gillard is respectively up down one to 32 per cent and up two to 57 per cent. Newspoll also ran a teaser last night showing Abbott favoured over Gillard for economic management 43 per cent to 34 per cent, and Wayne Swan and Joe Hockey in a statistical dead heat for preferred Treasurer (38 per cent to 37 per cent).
We also today had yet another 54-46 result from Essential Research. After losing a point on the primary vote over each of the two previous weeks, Labor was back up one to 34 per cent, with the Greens down one to 10 per cent and the Coalition steady on 47 per cent. Essential’s monthly measure of leadership approval found both leaders’ personal ratings essentially unchanged – Julia Gillard down one on approval to 36 per cent and up one on disapproval to 53 per cent, Tony Abbott steady on 35 per cent and up two to 53 per cent – but contrary to Newspoll, Gillard made a solid gain as preferred prime minister, her lead up from 39-36 to 41-34. However, only 31 per cent expected her to lead Labor to the next election against 47 per cent who said they didn’t (hats off to the 22 per cent who admitted they didn’t know); while for Tony Abbott the numbers were 47 per cent and 25 per cent.
A question on government control of media ownership has support for more control and less control tied on 24 per cent, with 34 per cent thinking it about right. There was also a question on the impact of Gina Rinehart on the independence of Fairfax newspapers, which I personally find a little odd – the issue would mean little outside of New South Wales and Victoria. I also had my doubts about the question on whether Australia is “fair and just”, but the question asking for comparison with other countries is interesting: Canada and New Zealand are seen as Australia’s main partners in freedom, the UK does less well, Japan and France less well again, and the United States worse still. China however sits well below the rest of the field.
Categories: Federal Politics 2010-
rummel,
and seven days of the week, PM.
by Scarpat on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:10 pm
Poroti
I still have not seen spirit fingers
by rummel on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:10 pm
Rummell
were you sleeping in when china announced that they will be implimenting their own MRRT ?
So what was Tony saying again regarding the MRRT ?
by Mick Collins on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:10 pm
William Bowe @ # 1517
“I don’t care for the L-word, but Geoff Winestock’s article in the AFR nicely articulates my thinking on Julia Gillard and gay marriage. For a woman with Gillard’s back story to purport to be opposed to gay marriage is beneath ridiculous. Progressives are left asking what’s the point of her, and social conservatives don’t think any better of her for it either – it just causes them to add insincerity to the long list of black marks they have against her name.”
This, to my mind is more than a little silly. Now Gillard “must” conform to what others think she should think. Is there no room for people to have their own opinions with out this sort of (in my opinion) juvenile comment. What you are arguing for is that she hides her real beliefs and espouses those she thinks may be the more popular or those that are more aligned with their other views.
What we need are politicians (especially leaders) that say what they believe and not what they think others want them to say they believe. We have a leader of one political party (and it is not Gillard) that does that today. He says what he thinks his audience wants to hear.
None of us will agree with everything that any politician says. Anyone of us who does I believe is weak minded because it is clear that they are incapable of thinking for themselves and subsequently adopt the views of others.
Now to my knowledge Gillard has only ever had one view in respect of gay marriage. If she had changed her mind then there would be reason to question her stated views. This is not to against people changing their views (as I believe that such actions may be an indication of maturity) but to criticise one person because one or two or so of her views do not fit nicely into the political spectrum that her other views do is just clearly very silly.
William’s argument is an argument in favour of dishonesty.
by Ratsars on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:11 pm
Off to pick up the four year old terror.
by rummel on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:12 pm
rummel
There a joke going around at work that conservative voters think that Abbott is a Liberal politician when we all know that he will be the biggest taxing PM ever if elected. Under Abbott the Libs no longer are the party of lower taxes.
by Tom Hawkins on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:12 pm
Scarpat @ 4736
I don’t care if you do criticise Rudd. I am not an admiration society for any politician. I have criticised Rudd myself and will continue to do so.
I do like the fact that I can have a civil discussion with you on the topic.
If you watched the 4C program you would have seen Alan Griffin relate how he went out to get a quick snack of noodles at ten to seven and nothing was happening. When he returned at ten past seven it was all over. That is how quick it was.
BTW, I had previously heard that from Griffin at an ALP branch meeting.
Alan Griffin seems to have always supported Rudd from at least 2004 when he wanted Rudd to be leader instead of Latham. On that basis I tend to regard his judgement better than a lot of his colleagues who gave us Latham as leader.
by bemused on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:12 pm
Cuppa I don’t feel I need to be protected by William and how he manages PB is entirely up to him. I enjoy the cut and thrust of the place and have a number of enjoyable exchanges with George and would like to see him back posting.
I think this has all got blown out of proportion.
by DavidWH on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:13 pm
Needed to know that
by Tom Hawkins on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:14 pm
I agree. I wonder who did the blowing? It wasn’t you and it wasn’t George so therefore… ?
by Tom Hawkins on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:15 pm
Rummel, I didn’t know you were Tony Abbott’s driver.
by Lynchpin on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:16 pm
Because the Greeks dont have our BISONs:
http://afrankview.net/2012/02/australias-great-bisons-beautiful-inspiring-set-of-numbers/
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/business/brighten-up-aussies-treasury-chief-says-20120217-1tcyo.html#ixzz1mcKFUbEt
by The Finnigans on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:17 pm
A nice Abbott Downfall
parodydocumentary.“Why didn’t you pick up the Slipperphone?”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mam-8YnB_NA
by poroti on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:17 pm
I take it you don’t work at a comedy club.
When you head back to Menzies House tell them it’s: if one WERE to run…
by Son of foro on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:18 pm
Bemused,
I always thought Griffin was behind your anti Gillard vendetta.
http://www.vexnews.com/2012/02/flushing-out-rudd-ex-pm-puts-labor-in-poo-with-phantom-memory-loss-dependent-no-numbers-faux-challenge/#comments
by Greensborough Growler on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:18 pm
Lynelady – good idea. Not only that but they should also have a series of ads with lovely graphy things showing the income from 2003-2007 versus the income since the GFC, the infrastructure spend, the wasteful spend of the Howard years, etc.
I watched Annabel Crabb, Fran Kelly & a couple of others on The Drum for awhile last night. They said the Govt. has a good story to tell but can’t get it out because …. the usual blah about leadership. So the same old story is how do they not see that they are contributing to the noise.
William – I agree with you and others re JG’s stand on SSM. The perception everywhere is that she doesn’t mean what she is saying. Even my kids have mentioned it. I wonder if she should do what Stephen Smith has done and say that, after reconsidering carefully, she feels it is a matter of equity for all.
by BH on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:18 pm
TV show feedback
Abbott with or without Costello – a ratings disaster. Maybe Dumb and Dumber would run better with the demographic at this time slot
However, a re-run of the Three Stooges really retro stuff. Something to look forward to for the rest of 2012
by Tricot on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:19 pm
GG
And WA bowl NSW out for 91.
THe NSW coach will be out of a job come season end
by shellbell on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:19 pm
Unless you’re a multi millionaire who doesn’t own a business, that is absurd!
by jenauthor on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:19 pm
“Rudd backed off from having the vote between himself and Gillard.”
Maybe there is a pattern to Rudd cowardice – then, now and the ETS in between!
by Dr John on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:21 pm
Thanks for the recommendations on the Pacific War.
by Diogenes on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:21 pm
bemused,
I wasn’t in Australia when Rudd was replaced though I had been following politics and the polls through the online newspapers and on PB of course. I learnt of the change of leaders on the French news and I thought what the hell has happened. It was as a big a surprise to me as when I heard about the Cronulla riots earlier on. On the other hand if Rudd was replaced I wasn’t disappointed that he had been replaced by Gillard.
by Scarpat on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:21 pm
I realise you don’t feel that need, DavidWH, which is very unusual of you and is the reason why you’re one of about two or three people who more or less identify with the Liberal Party who are game to show up here.
by William Bowe on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:23 pm
GG @ 4759
I do not regard myself as conducting an anti-Gillard vendetta.
I do have the firm opinion that she is not a good leader and the coup of 2010 was not a good move. I formed these opinions independently based on all available sources, and yes, that included opinions of various MPs including Alan Griffin.
So expressing a preference is now a vendetta?
by bemused on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:29 pm
“Jen
There a joke going around at work.
” there is a clear posability that if one was to run around a tree at 299,792 meters per second you might indeed screw Yourself.
Or you can vote labor” AND GET A REAL ONE!!!!!!!!!!!
by Dr John on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:30 pm
Lyne Lady
Posted Friday, February 17, 2012 at 4:59 pm | Permalink
mari – bh
i am looking forward to the next election – labor should have ads featuring all the despicable comments made by the libs over the last 3 years – they are mounting up fast anBH
Posted Friday, February 17, 2012 at 4:56 pm | Permalink
Lets hope it comes out about a month before the election and show the disgraceful way Tony Abbott bullied Bernie Banton
BH
mari – let’s hope it also shows how brilliant Greg Combet was. He was the hero in the waterfront stoush and against James Hardie. Let’s also hope that the woeful comments of those Liberals (Howard, Julie Bishop – as lawyer, and Abbott) are front and centred should make for dreadful viewing..
tried for the copy paste on 2 comments, hope they come out OK, Yes you are both right is was despicable how Tony Abbott and his cohorts treated Bernie Banton, us mid north coasters have long memories!
by mari on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:31 pm
Listening to The Media Report on RN. It’s about how “more Australians are turning away from political journalism”.
by William Bowe on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:31 pm
Bemused
Can I ask why? I am seriously interested in your take on that.
by Lynchpin on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:32 pm
There it is again! I’m a journalist. I know something. The public doesn’t. Therefore the government is to blame.
Aaarrrrrgggghhhhhhh!!!!!!
SOMEONE MAKE IT STOP!!!!!!
by Son of foro on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:32 pm
“Jen
There a joke going around at work.” – The sheltered workshop that is!!!!!
by Dr John on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:33 pm
That’s because more journalists are turning away from political journalism.
by Son of foro on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:33 pm
Barry O’Farrell being quite funny (vis Latika)
http://instagr.am/p/HGMgknwJFD/
by Greensborough Growler on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:34 pm
Diogenes@re Pacific war
“Goodbye Darkness” by William Manchester
“New Guinea 1942-1944″ by Timothy Hall. (some items from the Webb report) awful things
“War in the Shadows” by Peter Medcalf (Bougainville campaign 1945)
“With the old breed at pelieiu and Okinawa” by Eugene B Sledge
or a novel that nails the crazy
James Jones ‘the thin red line”
by forrest on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:34 pm
Gee William, why ever would they be doing that
by Mick Collins on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:35 pm
.. and the only sound heard was the soft plop as George’s dummy hit the floor.
by kevjohnno on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:35 pm
Re George….
I see PB’s loss is Twitters gain. His talents will be well received over there…
by markjs on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:36 pm
BH, do i have a problem?
http://afrankview.net/2012/02/australias-great-bisons-beautiful-inspiring-set-of-numbers/
by The Finnigans on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:37 pm
Bemused,
All that time you proclaimed your undying love to the Party and its leadership you were a Griffindork.
by Greensborough Growler on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:38 pm
Scarpat @ 4766
Just as when Latham became leader, I initially allowed hope to over-ride other feelings and hoped it was all for the best. As soon as we got the ‘cash for clunkers’, ‘citizens assembly’ and ‘real Julia’ fiascos I recognised a mistake had probably been made.
Much that has happened since has tended to confirm this view, most recently her bizarre decision to appear on 4C.
Nevertheless, I want the government to succeed whoever the leader is and the leadership is in the hands of Caucus and I doubt they will be swayed by PB.
I have an aversion to all the Rudd bashing that takes place here and if I comment adversely on Julia, it is at least in part a response to the relentless denigration of Rudd.
Yes, I have a preference for the leadership, but if Julia Gillard leads the ALP to victory in 2013 there will be none happier than me and I will cheerfully admit my judgement was wrong.
by bemused on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:39 pm
William…
“Listening to The Media Report on RN. It’s about how “more Australians are turning away from political journalism”.
Thanx for heads up….I’m in SA so on 30min delay…off to get comfortable with my trusty tranny and a cold glass of (cheap) Chardonnay…Cheers!!
by markjs on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:39 pm
Forest, is The Thin Red Line a good read?
by Lynchpin on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:39 pm
Son of foro
Loved it
by poroti on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:39 pm
what about a cuddle?
Uncle Bilbo gave Gussie one last night and last i heard Gussie is still in the foetal position.
by The Finnigans on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:41 pm
William Bowe @ 4767
David is my comrade and I am working with his mother to rescue him from the dark-side.
Please do not encourage him to remain there.
by bemused on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:41 pm
Dr John #4774 – jokes about sheltered workshops are not that funny, I’m sure you are actually better than that?
by Marrickville Mauler on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:41 pm
Just back from cuddling grandson No 3.
It is all a bit sad, really. He is already being groomed as an Essendon supporter.
by Boerwar on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:43 pm
Poroti
It goes with BH’s comment at 4760. The Outsiders are a complete waste of space.
by Son of foro on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:44 pm
Lynchpin
Breaking my own vow to myself about not posting until 6PM however as there are no tickets left for Keating tonight I can catch up with work tonight.
(I am not going but know lots people who are)
I think I know where Bemused is coming from about Gillard, however it is not about saying someone is BAD rather that they may not be the best available. Many on PB do not seem to get this.
by daretotread on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:44 pm
“Dr John #4774 – jokes about sheltered workshops are not that funny, I’m sure you are actually better than that?”
Woopydoo and thanks for the commendation Mauler
by Dr John on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:44 pm
Lynchpin @ 4772
I think I pretty much answered that in my response to Scarpat @ 4783.
Feel free to ask any follow up questions if I haven’t covered it fully.
BTW, you are also someone it is possible to have a civil conversation with and disagree with respectfully.
by bemused on Feb 17, 2012 at 5:44 pm