Essential Research: 56-44 to Coalition
The latest weekly Essential Research survey shows no change on last week, bar a one point drop in the Greens vote to 10 per cent: the Coalition is on 49 per cent of the primary vote and Labor on 32 per cent, with the Coalition’s two-party lead at 56-44. Essential also found plenty of interesting questions to ask about the Labor leadership. Respondents were asked to evaluate the performance of various actors during the challenge, with Kevin Rudd coming out least badly (33 per cent good, 35 per cent poor), “Labor Party ministers” the worst (10 per cent and 52 per cent), the media also very poorly (14 per cent and 43 per cent), Julia Gillard not well at all (23 per cent and 49 per cent) and Tony Abbott hardly better even if it might be hard to recall what he did exactly (25 per cent and 40 per cent).
Sixty-two per cent of respondents said the leadership challenge was bad for the government and 47 per cent that it has made them less likely to vote Labor (64 per cent among Coalition supporters, obviously including many who wouldn’t vote Labor in a pink fit), against 13 per cent who said it was a good thing and another 13 per cent (or perhaps the same 13 per cent) who they were more likely to vote Labor. A question on Kevin Rudd’s future produces a miraculously even three-way split with 29 per cent saying he should stay in parliament and again challenge for the leadership, 28 per cent saying he should stay in parliament and not challenge for the leadership and 30 per cent saying he should resign from parliament.
Respondents were asked to indicate whether they supported the Australian system of leaders being elected by MPs (36 per cent), American-style presidential primaries (31 per cent) and British-style election by both MPs and party members (11 per cent). Fifty-six per cent believed MPs should be guided by public opinion in leadership contests against 30 per cent by who they believed was the best person. The poll also points to a slight increase in support for an early election since the end of January, up three to 44 per cent with support for a completed term down two to 46 per cent.
We have also had Newspoll publish results from last week’s polling on the most important political issues and the best party to handle them. Such figures are invariably very closely associated with voting intention, and since this was a 53-47 poll result, it finds Labor improving considerably since the question was last asked as part of the poll of October 7-9, which was a 57-43 result. Labor has recovered big leads on its traditional strong suits of health, education, industrial relations and climate change, and closed the gap on the economy, interest rates and national security. Full tables from GhostWhoVotes.
Categories: Federal Politics 2010-
Gussie, Fess is the Field Marshall 10 stars
by The Finnigans on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:09 pm
gusface #1634, the Aust. Rail Track Corporation does have a long term strategy for double track Sydney-Melbourne, the standardisation of Victoria’s broad gauge track Seymor-Wodonga has just delivered a large slice of that, they have also installed more and longer passing loops in some single track areas between Albury and Junee and also on the NSW north coast line. Focussed very much on freight capacity and transit times.
Agree with you about the maybe on Newcastle and Wollongong, but even there I think its “faster” not “very fast” that makes sense.
by Marrickville Mauler on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:10 pm
I’m back.
Now I said over a week ago that gillard should jump on the emergency flood wagon before ofatty. Oh well…….
by rummel on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:10 pm
Daretotread @ 1629
Well said.
Add in gusface with his baby talk.
I had hoped afrankview would attract all that stuff away from here, but it has only been partially successful.
by bemused on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:10 pm
Finns
How can I be Leader of the Pack if I’m following orders?
Are you calling me subversive . . . . to Leader Fess?
*fkn shiver*
Or did you mean this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syckLQQBShc
by kezza2 on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:12 pm
Unhinge away, unhinged one
by gusface on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:12 pm
This is the Dave who thoughtfully provided PB with a post detailing some examples of your commenting stock-in-trade?
The examples that showed your routinely abusive, belittling, insulting & verballing drama-queen style of discourse?
Yes, I bet you hate Dave for that one…
by Kersebleptes on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:12 pm
I’ve never understood this 6.5 star general crap.
I had it explained to me once, but Gussy was the teacher, so nothing stuck.
by ShowsOn on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:12 pm
Finns:
Respect mah authoritah!
by confessions on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:14 pm
heya marrickville
by 2060 odd hopefully mag lev et al will have become economic
by gusface on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:14 pm
What’s this? I thought we had a pretty neat parental leave scheme, now.
http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2012/s3447693.htm
by joe2 on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:14 pm
What happened to you showy? You used to post much more intelligent stuff than you have lately. Is your intellect on holiday?
by Puff, the Magic Dragon. on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:15 pm
Oh Mighty One, a thousand pardon. i have sinned.
by The Finnigans on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:15 pm
shows
i often point out your brain is a sieve
thanks for the example
by gusface on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:16 pm
Puuuufffyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy, Showy has never recovered since i made him my FAV dickhead.
by The Finnigans on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:16 pm
heretic
the courtmartial is convening as we speak
by gusface on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:17 pm
Gus:
I know nothing. The script is writing itself!!
by confessions on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:17 pm
On a lighter note, how many here were as determined to do your school homework as this guy ?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2111306/Homework-Chinese-style-Youngster-puts-school-run-good-use-puts-finishing-touches-classwork.html
by poroti on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:17 pm
joe2
ABC Reporter number one interviews ABC Reporter number two. Then they call it news. I call it crap.
http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2012/s3447693.htm
by ruawake on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:19 pm
Oh.OK then
well we will just have tea and bikkies instead
by gusface on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:19 pm
confessions
I am happy with the insertion of ‘credible’. Very happy.
by Boerwar on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:20 pm
for an 87 yr old mass impersonator
shows is doing great guns
by gusface on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:22 pm
The Finnigans
And yet Frank Calabrese and his acolytes often abuse and ridicule some PBers over at his blog
Will u censure him also?
And yet, u and the usual others make comments about me on PB when I am not around
Will u censure yourself and the others
by Pegasus on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:22 pm
I miss George with his sense of humour.
Humour is so comforting in times of stress.
by lizzie on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:24 pm
My favorite example of keeness to complete homework was provided when the police finally worked out who had been breaking into our school, often multiple times a week.
Turned out it was the Yr 12 students, wanting access to the school computers so that they could complete assignments (in the days when home computers were a rarity).
by zoomster on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:25 pm
SO
Since I’ve become Pte 2nd Class Ret. (there are only so many 6.5 star generals a private, second class, can carry), there is just the space for you in 6.5 Star General Gus’ Invincible Anti-Reactionary Army’s training squad.
Based on your posts, I believe I can say that you would meet at least some of the selection requirements for private, second class probationary, quite easily.
by Boerwar on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:27 pm
Boerwar 1586
I agree.
by Puff, the Magic Dragon. on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:27 pm
BW @1640:
I had that Coalition policy roll-call sorted out at one stage:
1. Do nothing – including all roll-backs of ALP policy
2. Do what Howard did
3. We’ll have it ready for the next election (the “election now!” paradox)
I have to add a fourth now that Abbott has had a few brain-farts:
4. Wish-list – populist-sounding things that’ll definitely happen when debt is paid off (ie. when hell freezes over)
That last one is, I assume, the result of intensive Liberal efforts to put a positive spin on their message for 2012. They want us to believe that aspirational policies are just the same as real policies.
by Aguirre on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:28 pm
Just been checking the form for the footy on the weekend!
I’m thinking a couple of the favourites can get rolled
- Manly to beat Tigers.
- Bulldogs to beat Dragons.
And the Storm will win again. One could make a living betting against the Bunnies
by Centre on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:28 pm
Speaking of Computers.
The Govt programs to deliver computers in schools have all been delivered on time, as scheduled, and as budgeted.
Poor Pyne.
by ruawake on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:29 pm
George
Please come back.
by Puff, the Magic Dragon. on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:29 pm
zoomster 1675
Wow that is up there with someone breaking into prison
I think they win the keenness award.
by poroti on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:31 pm
ruawake
The Greens are supporters of freight rail where appropriate and have pushed this for a long time.
You only have to read the Greens numerous media releases to know that this is the case:
http://greens.org.au/search/node/rail%20freight
by Pegasus on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:31 pm
rua
Funny we haven’t heard about it. “On schedule and on budget” ? Who’s hiding da truth?
by lizzie on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:32 pm
The News Ltd Cheat aka The Melbourne cheating Storm, did not win on the weekend, they cheated by getting a cheating video ref who does not know the offside rules to award a try.
The cheating cheat gets suspended as a ref for a week, but the cheating News Ltd cheats win.
Rant off.
by ruawake on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:32 pm
I just read a Greens policy, company tax rate of 33%
by ruawake on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:34 pm
confessions
Is that a self descriptor?
by MTBW on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:36 pm
Puffy,
According to his Twitter profile, George works at least two jobs- so be patient!
by Kersebleptes on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:39 pm
Gus before mr benused came along we hd great discussions in to the wee hours, around election time, last weeek i was luck enough to hear you on the tony delroy show, your knowledge of the labor party th in andouts the policies , where a joyto listen to ,. You spoke for nearly a10 minutes with great knowledge. Loved it this site has great charactersu being one, soon wee will be told we dont need dolphins. There was music u yube to fit every occassion,, fun laughter, it seemed also thst mr bowe wants a different type of place, we lost george , and myself u notice i make no political comments, , i am waiting to tea to cooj its self in the slow cooker , so having a cuppa and catching up on the news. Thats all , i go to political sword A frank view where georges talent is appreciated. To daily derp.. mr den more, lyns lynks which i stronly advise, global mail,.
Mostly i just get on with stuff ‘
Bemused may be you may like a more interlectual blogg may be you coukd start one.
by my say on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:40 pm
I like peg’s rider ‘where appropriate’ – to excuse the fact that a quick scan of them shows that about half of those Green media releases are against freight rail.
Just like Greens support windfarms, just as long as there nowhere anyone can see them – or where a chance bird might fly by…
by zoomster on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:41 pm
Who is leaking stuff about O’Farrell and why? It makes little sense to me unless someone is trying to shaft him.
by ruawake on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:42 pm
Now Horsey, you know that deep in your heart, very very deep, that whatever i said, wrote, posted are for your own good.
And i always know, like a good Horsey, you come back, you always come back.
How do i know my sweet? because we are one:
http://twitpic.com/7udsb7/full
Now say solly.
by The Finnigans on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:42 pm
If u want george go to franks, no one jumps on u there, , no one critcises what u say,
by my say on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:43 pm
MTBW
That’s exactly the reaction I had to confessions comment last night.
Projection much
Everyone here can rail against the msm 24/7 here but BB is arrogant if he does 
Then she slurs him by association.
In contrast, everyone else was saying how tired, etc BB was and were supportive of his comments.
confessions – but, but, i aint no partisan hack
by Pegasus on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:46 pm
Hey My Say, i still owe your a song
by The Finnigans on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:46 pm
rua, I think your Raiders are going down as well
by Centre on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:46 pm
Oppn sitting on a policy. Not exactly news.
Read more: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/federal-opposition-tight-lipped-on-pokies-policy/story-e6frfku0-1226292342895#ixzz1oPYIcC2F
by lizzie on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:48 pm
my say,
Oh dear, assuming i would be allowed in, I would doubt that that would be my experience.
by Pegasus on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:48 pm
Be mused one day u may come here and find your ar the only one
o
The world oyr beighbour hood are made of all sorts, tolerance is a vurtue, every on e is not a shoe that fits individual moulds,
by my say on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:49 pm
peg
Er, what?
A partisan hack is one who thinks their party is above criticism.
You fit the bill.
by zoomster on Mar 7, 2012 at 5:49 pm