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-
GG
Pardon?
by victoria on Mar 8, 2012 at 8:56 am
They weren’t able to interview the woman in the so-called Skype affair because of her state of wellbeing.
by confessions on Mar 8, 2012 at 8:56 am
The chairman is there to see they do.
by This little black duck on Mar 8, 2012 at 8:58 am
by Cuppa on Mar 8, 2012 at 8:59 am
fess,
She refused to be interviewed which, I guess, is her right.
by This little black duck on Mar 8, 2012 at 8:59 am
Ahhh, how i love a good biffo in the graveyard shift, especially it’s about me. Thanks you ballboys, ballgirls, linesmen, lineswomen, game, set and match.
DTT, hmmmm, i wonder why you bother.
1. My online relationships with Pegasus is mine. I called him/her Horsey because that’s how he/she appeared to me long time ago. In his/her own words he/she said he/she likes it, it’s a term of endearment and a bit of fun. And he/she also stipluated that i am the only one that is allowed to call him/her Horsey. Get it. he/she cant have it both ways now. It’s too late for going back now
2. Why dont you complain about my online relationships with Diog. Now he is a male. i treat Diog even more cruelly, sexist, personally and patronising.
3. You are simply jealous that i dont a nick name for you or a term of endearment – what about Miss Piggy, will that do?
4. You just dont get it do you. This is a blog. I dont take anything seriously here. I come here to express my views, opinions, commentaries and have some some fun, i am a Dolphin. There are many people here i like, such as Diog and Horsey, among many others such as Gussie, BW, BK, My Say, Poroti, Ducky, Puffy, Vic, Fess (solly if i miss you, you know who you are). I even like dickheads like Mod & Showy, they are my FAV. But they are also many that i dont like, eg: YOU and others (you know who you are).
so go to Columbia and join the Shining Path and its’ called FARQ.
Dear Bilbo, i am too cute & adorable, i can look after after myself. But TQ just the same. Of course you cant get what i am on about half of the time. i dont speak your language and we are so much smarter than you. Even if you dont like it, it’s OK, i have many others.
She will always be Horsey to me. Tough titties. You can call me any name you like. i will never deny you.
Gee this is getting more and more exciting. it seems that i have done my job well.
oh BTW: i dont give a shit whether you are with or without a dick or in between. i treat you all the same. But my FAV is the one without.
by The Finnigans on Mar 8, 2012 at 8:59 am
vic,
Answering your 2240!
by Greensborough Growler on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:02 am
Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia, to be precise.
by This little black duck on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:02 am
Ducky, i like you
by The Finnigans on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:04 am
Ducky:
In his presser yesterday Smith said in response to a question about all the evidence being presented that the woman couldn’t be interviewed because of her state of wellbeing.
I suppose that could be a nicer way of saying she refused.
by confessions on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:05 am
GG
Ah I see! I am wondering if somehow the details of the report will fall into the media’s hands???
by victoria on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:05 am
There is a lot more behind all of this than Kafer as well, viz -
- Ongoing hugely expensive and unaccountability /stuff ups with Defence procurements.
- Unaccountability in operational matters ie navy directed to send a vessel to assist with Queensland floods last year found to be *unseaworthy* FFS – a navy and its commanders who do not know a vessel is a rust bucket until it is directed to weigh anchor and make all good speed to a destination.
- 40 -50 years of bastardisation and now sexual harassment claims at Duntroon/ ADFA.
If the Cols Blimps won’t take ownership and responsibility for dealing with this who will ?
by dave on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:05 am
Warwick Armstrong @ 2246
Yes I was actually toying with using jackals when I wrote the post.
by ratsak on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:06 am
fess,
I heard that.
It was said later (I don’t know when) that she didn’t want to talk.
by This little black duck on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:07 am
dave
Agreed. I remember Peter Reith had a hard time of this portfolio too. Although Reith deserved it!!
by victoria on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:07 am
Finns
Miss Piggy!! You are a norty dolphin
by victoria on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:08 am
Dodgy old military people tarting themselves in the media certainly doesn’t dent how impressed I am with Smith as a defence Minister, but it clearly shows the military culture needed fixing a long time ago, if these clowns think these personal attacks are smart and cool I’m just glad they are out of the military and merely harmless media tarts. My respect for the military diminishes.
by WeWantPaul on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:09 am
Excellently put. It seems to me they’d prefer to bury their heads in the sand and pretend there are no problems.
Driving home yesterday there was some ex-ADF person being interviewed who kept going on about how the DLA Piper report findings paled into insignificance compared to findings of abuse in other sectors.
I thought: there’s Defence’s problem right there. And that’s what Smith’s up against I suppose.
by confessions on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:11 am
That doesn’t fit well with the Newslimited/ipa mergings.
by joe2 on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:11 am
Ducky:
Thanks. Sky cut away from his press conference at one point to go to the PM, so perhaps I missed that response.
by confessions on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:12 am
As for Smith’s particular call that it was inappropriate to pursue other charges at the time as a lawyer I agree completely with Smith. Justice needs not only to be done it needs to be seen to be done. Innocent as a baby or guilty as sin any proceedings against the woman at that time was going to look like prosecution and cover-up.
by WeWantPaul on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:12 am
The fact that the report weighted the responses of the Commander and the more “enlightened” approach equally is probably a good outcome for Smith.
The fact that the Commander’s response is considerd both considered and reasonable is a reflection of his training, expeerience and the culture of the armed forces. Smith will be telling his Generals that he has found the problem and it is them.
by Greensborough Growler on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:12 am
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/capital-circle/adf-under-pressure/story-fn59nqgy-1226292959897
Capital Circle blog, links to many articles, front pages etc
by Leroy on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:13 am
Apparently – according to Moylan – we’re meant to rise up against Smith as Defence Minister because he is hated in the ranks.
Entrenched cultures are entrenched because (a) they’re difficult to change and (b) they offer advantages to some in the culture which are unearnt and unmerited.
I once heard the resistance to equal rights for women explained thus: In the 1800s, for a man, it didn’t matter how big a failure you were, how insignificant you were in the scheme of things, when you walked into a room you were immediately superior to at least 50% of those present.
Yet those men would still have known, deep down, that the only thing that kept them from complete insignificance was the way the culture operated.
So, too, in the Defence Force. The entrenched culture gives some – probably the majority – rewards and status they know they don’t really deserve.
Of course, they hate someone who is pointing this out to them, and is determined to make changes.
by zoomster on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:13 am
Done this way because Moyln is retired, a media tart and connot be touched.
But, the Col Blimps and their *union* need to be very careful.
Their cupboards are stuffed to the gills with factual records of their incompetence.
by dave on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:14 am
if the grumpy old media tarts the ABC is rolling out this morning are any indication it is a very big problem … they clearly think they are above the Govt.
by WeWantPaul on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:14 am
Here here.
But since they are out and about I have a pencil I can sell them for 20k (or I will have soon as I duck down to the news agent and pick up a packet of 10 for $2)
by WeWantPaul on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:16 am
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/industrial-relations/left-winger-set-to-head-up-actu/story-fn59noo3-1226292620246
by Leroy on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:17 am
http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/newsradio/audio/20120308-turnbull.mp3
by Leroy on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:19 am
More proof Rudd was set up by Swan to fail before June 2010:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/kevin-rudds-take-on-mining-tax-backed-by-coli-barnett/story-fn59niix-1226291252897
by Thornleigh Labor Man on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:20 am
Vic, reminds me of prof. C Palmer
by The Finnigans on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:21 am
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/former-judge-jim-spigelman-to-be-appointed-abc-chairman-20120307-1ukns.html
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/media/spigelman-set-to-be-abc-chairman/story-e6frg996-1226293051323
by Leroy on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:21 am
They have switched their attack now on Smithy & Swannie. PM has proved to be too tough.
by The Finnigans on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:23 am
Hockey’s speech yesterday seems to have sunk. This is the only report I can find:
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/coalition-will-allow-some-industries-to-fail–hockey-20120307-1ukiq.html
The comments aren’t too complimentary either.
by confessions on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:24 am
Speigelman
Three cheers
I wonder how deep the culture of uselessness goes. ie how many will need to be reassigned to reporting in Peru or Broken Hill
by daretotread on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:25 am
Apoel, a team from tiny Cyprus, has just knocked out Lyon, a French bigwig team, 4-3 on penalties
by This little black duck on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:26 am
TLM@2279, and if you turn that around, it could read: “more proof that Rudd was making a mess of taxation policy, because of his inability to make a final decision, and Swan stepped into to salvage what he could, in the period leading up to June 2010″.
by susan winstanley on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:26 am
Julia Gillard passes the audition. A+ is indicative of an over achiever.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-08/gillard27s-performance-as-female-pm/3875502
by Greensborough Growler on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:27 am
So mild manner Clarke Kent Smithy is taking on the macho butch Military. No match, Smithy will blitz them #auspol
by The Finnigans on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:28 am
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/tony-abbotts-visa-pledge/story-fn7x8me2-1226292504117
by Leroy on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:30 am
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/end-of-nurses-dispute-in-sight-at-last/story-fn7x8me2-1226292538377
by Leroy on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:31 am
by confessions on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:35 am
confessions
I cant bring myself to read Shamas!!
by victoria on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:37 am
On a lighter note but with a serious undertone …
Red Symons asked yesterday “Don’t footballs have a right to privacy, too?”
by lizzie on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:38 am
The Marshall Baillieu intervention is the best thing that could have happened in the nurses dispute, Leroy. He could have been employed by the nurses, for all the work he has done.
by joe2 on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:39 am
victoria:
The link goes to an earlier column of Bernard Keane’s about Shanahan’s ADFA commentary last year.
by confessions on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:40 am
One Ex-Military Wonk (I think, Moylan) was on AM this morning going on about how this was all because Smith wanted to be Prime Minister and needed to shore up his approval ratings among females, which (Ex-Military Wonk reported) were terrible at the moment.
Someone’s polled about Smith for PM and broken it down by gender? Sounds quite dodgy to me. Perhaps William could dig up this polling for us. Or perhaps not.
“Ex-Military wonk” on AM sounded extremely nasty and sardonic. I got the feeling that he is singing a song that others can’t because of their positions in the military hierarchy (“conduct prejudicial” and all that). The ADF seems to be out of control. No minister in history has seemed to be able to manage them, or bring them to heel. They regard themselves as a law unto themselves. Their civilian masters can BUTT OUT.. especially if they’re Labor. This is a very disturbing situation.
Smith, at the time, found what he considered to be evidence of persecution of the woman involved. He saw the old “one-two” alive and well: complain and the Army goes even harder on you. So he suspended the ADFA commander for the duration. It was his call and, in my opinion, the right one. It’s very easy to hold an enquiry staffed by brother officers that naysays the Minister. Very easy. And it’s very easy to say – now – that the Minister was wrong and should apologize. It’s also extremely political.
Heard Alan jones railing about all this on the radio an hour or so ago. He was praising the tribunal to the high heavens. Yet, when those soldiers in Afghanistan were up on manslaughter charges, he didn’t have much time for the military justice system then. Jones is such a tart.
The glint of sunshine on the horizon is that so much of this is the old paradigm: where Smith, Crean and yes, Rudd, are all vying for Gillard’s job, seeking to posture and pose themselves the better to gain public notoriety. That’s over now. It’s old news. I think Smith should and will survive easily, and God help anyone who gets in his way next time. As Military Wonks are prone to say, “It’s war!”
by Bushfire Bill on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:41 am
I find it hard to read Bernard, as well.
by joe2 on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:43 am
Well that’s reassuring.
http://afr.com/p/national/labor_picks_outsider_for_future_IGGkSOqBlR0imEwQx0Z37H
by CO on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:43 am
It was Neil James.
by joe2 on Mar 8, 2012 at 9:44 am