Newspoll: 57-43 to Coalition
A bad result for the government in the latest fortnightly Newspoll, with the Coalition’s two-party lead out from 54-46 to 57-43. The primary votes are 28 per cent for Labor (down three) and 47 per cent for the Coalition (up four). Julia Gillard at least has the consolation that her personal ratings have improved from the previous fortnight’s dismal result, with her approval up three to 31 per cent and disapproval down four to 58 per cent. Tony Abbott’s ratings are unchanged at 32 per cent approval and 58 per cent disapproval, and there is likewise essentially no change on preferred prime minister (Gillard leads 40-37, up from 39-37).
Another consolation for Labor is the possibility that a bit of static might be expected from a poll conducted over the same weekend as a state election such as the one in Queensland. They can be fortified in this view by the fact that their standing improved in this week’s Essential Research poll, the most recent weekly component of which was conducted over a longer period than Newspoll (Wednesday to Sunday rather than Friday to Sunday). Very unusually, given that Essential is a two-week rolling average, this showed a two-point shift on two-party preferred, with the Coalition lead shrinking from 56-44 to 54-46. Given that Essential spiked to 57-43 a fortnight ago, and the sample which sent it there has now washed out of the rolling average, this is not entirely surprising. Labor’s primary vote is up two to 34 per cent, and the Coalition’s is down one to 47 per cent. Further questions featured in the poll cover the economy, its prospects, best party to handle it and personal financial situation (slightly more optimism than six months ago, and Labor up in line with its overall improvement since then), job security, Kony 2012, taking sickies and the impact of the high dollar.
Categories: Federal Politics 2010-
ruawake
They will be if the US turns us into their Asian aircraft carrier. People should check out what the US does from Diego Garcia.What the Cocos Islands is supposed to replace. If it is a replacement of Diego we are not just talking drones we are talking bases from which the US has launched numerous bombing raids by conventional aircraft to a number of countries. We will be part of such “winning hearts and minds” events… NOT
by poroti on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:18 pm
Wasnt the AFR going to publish the emails? Maybe Im behind the times here.
by cud chewer on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:19 pm
Scringler @2894
You sound very righteous. Didn’t notice that you ran to this blog to complain when Germaine Greer said what she said about Julia Gillard. And apparently you have no problem with comments made here about Janette Howard or ad nauseam everywhere about Abbott’s swimwear. I smell a Gillard groupie or a loonie leftie from the Greens.
by Mick77 on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:19 pm
I believe that the balancing was done better under Mr Howard with Mr Downer than under Ms Gillard and Messers Rudd and Carr.
We are tying ourselves too tightly to the US, IMHO. We need more wriggle room. We are in a good BOP situation and should be more adroit in the juggling.
That leak from US interests to the Washington Post should be a warning. The US plays tough and hard and totally in its own interests. As it should.
So should we.
by Boerwar on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:21 pm
Actually, if the AFR has evidence is not it legally obliged to provide it to the AFP?
by Boerwar on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:22 pm
Pegasus – So Ben had a question on relations with China and the US? Lots of people do.
When he’s got an answer let me know.
by CTar1 on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:22 pm
The Politics of Housing:
• 29 per cent of households are renting, up from 26 per cent in 1995
• home ownership among the 25- 44 age group has declined by 15 per cent in the last 20 years
• the median age of renters is 38
• rates of outright home ownership have declined from 42 per cent in 1995 to 33 per cent in 2010
Contrast with:
• the tax system delivers indirect assistance to owner-occupiers worth about $45 billion annually
• most ($30 billion) is due to the exemption of owner-occupied homes from capital gains tax
• individual property investors benefit from $5.4 billion in tax concessions each year, mainly due to the 50 per cent tax discount on capital gains and to negative gearing8
Source: http://vcoss.org.au/documents/VCOSS%20docs/insight/VCOSS_Insight_06_The_politics_of_housing.pdf
To find out more facts about issues such as affordable housing and public housing go to Australians for Affordable Housing: http://housingstressed.org.au/
by Pegasus on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:23 pm
Yes, Zoomster, the Hotel called the Palace was on the Hawthorn side – actually there was about 20 pubs in Hawthorn, then none for about 15 km until Blackburn or Doncaster.
by sohar on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:23 pm
BW
Only if a crime has been committed. The AFR has said they don’t believe News has committed a crime so they aren’t sending on the info.
by Diogenes on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:26 pm
P
The stats show that something needs to be done. The problem is that it would cost any opposition government and any government opposition.
Not even Mr Keating could get rid of negative gearing.
by Boerwar on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:27 pm
Dio
How about a crime against humanity?
by Boerwar on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:27 pm
I suspect that the time is not long of when they will be. I’m with you on that poroti.
We’ll have to have a long and very hard look at the relative importance of both China and The USA to us. Who is stoking our economy? Where does our trade future lie? Which of the two represents our best security partnership, or to put it another way: Which is the more likley to be a hindrance to our security in the future? China or the US?
Clearly, neither is likely to ever represent any sort of threat to us, but the real question will be: Who is likely to be the best (and yes, most useful) friend to have in the future.
Somehow I don’t think it will end-up being a bankrupt, declining, crisis-riven US of A.
by smithe on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:28 pm
The AFP have said that they have been cooperating with UK Police since July last year in regard to this. That is about the time that Panorama started work on what they broadcast earlier this week from what I’ve read/seen. And about the time that AFR journo decamped to the UK on ‘leave’.
I don’t think the story is ‘new’ news to them – or others in the media.
by CTar1 on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:29 pm
Based on current polling can the Libs win without Nat seats?
by victoria on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:29 pm
who said the AB frigging C wanted to *win* the bidding war on the program?
Did the AB frigging C ever want the hot potato ?
Sell the ABC properties, disconnect the electricity, sack the staff so that they can go work for their *hero* at Newscorp.
The ABC have long since ceased to be part of the Fourth Estate.
And please, please will SOMEONE tell that dollybird on ABC TV 7 pm News to just READ the F’nn news not act it.
The lady in question has worked for CNN, BBC, ABC Asia Pacific and others yet on the ABC she *Acts* the news along with hand gestures.
FFS – Just read the news. Is it really that hard?
by dave on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:29 pm
Boerwar
Note: Got a bit carried away researching & linking some of the great Australian women who were not only household names, but a nation’s & my generation’s heroines & role models. So this for PB’s gals, for its blokes, for all PBers female ‘lations, especially daughters.
Being not that much older than Greer, I was more influenced by earlier feminist writers: Lillian Roxon (Nicola’s aunt), Carol Lansbury (Malcolm Turnbull’s mother), the Votes for Women brigade, qv Kirsten Lees (1995): Votes For Women: The Australian Story – there’s a review on Green Left (May 24, 1995) – the Roaring 20s (&30s) free spirits, like Brisbane girl Nell Tritton: a woman who blazed a trail and married Alexander Kerensky. He had been selected Russia’s first prime minister after the tsar’s abdication, but was then ousted by Vladimir Lenin Now there was one hellava inspirational heroine for a gal who wanted A CAREER!
There were the Bohemians, inc Norman Linday’s Sirens Sirens, sandwiches and scenery at Norman Lindsay’s house; polio-stricken opera singer Marjorie Lawrence, subject of Academy Award wining Hollywood film Interrupted Melody. Also the subject of a very glamorous film, and played by Esther Williams, Australian swimmer Swimmer, film star etc Annette Kellerman a really big role model! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esther_Williams
and the paradigm shattering Sister Elizabeth Kenny (played by Rosalind Russell) Sister Kenny Kenny’s principles of muscle rehabilitation became the foundation of physical therapy, or physiotherapy. (BTW, Rudd’s Pub Nobby a sort of museum in a pub, great meals, has some great stuff on Sr Kenny).
Of course there was Nancy Wake; The White Mouse and the gallant Vivian Statham (née Bullwinkel)
other role models were the pioneering Aviatrices – Australian women of the air: Millicent Bryant (1st licenced woman 1927), Freda Thompson she became the first Australian woman to fly solo from England to Australia, 1934; Brizzy girl Maude Lores Bonney (from memory, called ‘Flores’; my parents knew her)
and, of course, the great Nancy Bird-Walton
There are many more. There were the stars of Women’s tennis in Australia , of Women in the Olympics like swimmers Fanny Durack and Mina Wylie, 1912, and so many more.
All were the subjects of stories in “Girls’ Own” type annuals and magazines, which I read avidly; all the heroines of girls growing up in the Interbellum, WW II and postwar Australia. Encouraged by parents and my teacher aunts, I grew up believing there was nothing women could not, no heights they couldn’t reach, no job they couldn’t hold. Unlike late Baby Boomers & GensX-Z, I grew up with role models who were at least the equal of men; women worthy of Award Nominated & Winner films starring top actresses. Sadly, this was far from the norm for a girl from a large, working-class family.
BTW: I do enjoy Germaine’s books, even when I’m snarling obscenities at her and hurling the book. She articulated women’s problems in a male world, influenced generations of women to take control of their own lives & sexuality. For that, I revere her.
by OzPol Tragic on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:29 pm
ABC cannot help itself. Latest NBN story just lets a Turnbull quote to head the story, the infamous “the Federal Opposition says”…
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-29/turnbull-says-nbn-rollout-plan-just-labor-spin/3921504
So lazy, so tabloid. Piss off Aunty, we can go to liberal.org.au for Tory press releases!
by Darren Laver on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:30 pm
It was Mr Downer who sent a message that Australia was not automatically ‘in’ if a stoush developed between the US and China over the Straits of Taiwan. The problem with the Gillard Government is that it is reducing this sort of wriggle room all the time.
That, plus the quick billion that Mr Howard forwarded to Thailand during the Asian financial crisis, plus the rapid response to the Tsunami were the high points of the Howard governments. Sundry wars were the low points.
by Boerwar on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:31 pm
All countries act firstly in their own interests and in the case of Western democracies, interests often coincide because of shared values. Would you rather be aligned with China or USA? I think everyone here knows the answer in his/her heart.
by Mick77 on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:32 pm
M77
ACtually, I would prefer to be non-aligned.
by Boerwar on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:33 pm
v
I am sure that William would know the answer. I would say the answer is ‘Yes’.
by Boerwar on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:34 pm
poroti,
Yes, however, I blame that Sandro bloody Botticelli for recently making
them fashionable.
by Scringler on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:34 pm
Rubenesque.
by Boerwar on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:35 pm
I’d be keeping out of it at all costs.
by Diogenes on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:36 pm
Boerwar @2918
Like Denmark, Belgium, Norway in WWII? Well at least change your name if you’re that naive.
by Mick77 on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:36 pm
The NBN rollout did make it to the Brisbane ABC News, albeit a bit down the list. Perhaps the complaints being aired about the absence of it in Sydney spurred some action.
The news items on Channel 10, 7 and 2 in Brisbane (yes, I know I’m a tragic) about the “Commission of Audit” on the Queensland government were actually quite a bad look for the LNP. Costello came across even more insufferably arrogant than usual and Tim Nicholls (the new Qld Treasurer) seemed to be desperately trying to emulate Costello’s manner. I don’y think I’ve ever seen the smirk more pronounced than it was on Costello’s face today. I know I’m a Labor tragic, but I think even an LNP supporter would have cringed a bit.
The new Opposition leader (I will learn to spell her name) responded quite well (another job for an LNP “mate”). She seems quite good at basically firing her message down the barrel of the camera and that’s what will be needed for the next little while.
All in all, not a bad start to a bad situation – and Cando still hasn’t announced his cabinet. Maybe he’s been too tied up in “process”? Be interesting to see who gets rewarded/placated tomorrow when the list comes out. There already seems to be a lot of influence being wielded by the Santo Santoro faction – in the long run this can only be good for Labor because it makes more likely a return to the Queensland of old.
by ajm on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:37 pm
New Zealand is able to assert itself and say “No” to the United States. For example, NZ forces did not participate in the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_New_Zealand#United_States
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand-United_States_relations
3. http://mfat.govt.nz/
4. http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Media-and-publications/Features/665-Wellington-declaration-on-new-NZ-US-partnership.php
by Pegasus on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:39 pm
M77
Tsk, tsk. No need to get snarky. It would have made absolutely no difference whatsoever what the treaty alliance situation was for those countries. They were gone whichever way they went. OTOH, had Switzerland and Sweden been allied to the err… Allies, they would have been invaded and conquered as well. Neutrality actually worked quite well for them during the war.
Before you start calling people ‘naive’ you should have a bit of a think outside the square instead of spewing out the pap-for-history we all got fed in anglophone schools for decades.
by Boerwar on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:40 pm
Yep. Best way to win a war….stay out of it.
It’s advice the Yanks themselves used to follow and it made them quite rich, too.
by smithe on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:40 pm
Dio
The split-arse option?
by Boerwar on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:42 pm
BTW – For what its worth – those using FireFox can use an add-on called Keep Tube to download and save You Tube stuff like the BBC Panorama program on NDS etc.
Go here -
http://keep-tube.com/firefox-extension.php
Download, restart FireFox then load
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0clg2m-ePd0
Under the screen bit is a Download button in Black with some green and red writing.
Click that > Let it load > Download MP$ 360P is the best option > Right Click, Save As -
Works for lots of videos, music etc
by dave on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:42 pm
smithe
I’m reading about the Pacific War ATM. Basically every belligerent was worse off after the war. All those empires just folded.
by Diogenes on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:44 pm
BW @ 2926
Yes our version of history is always inferior to others according to the loonie left/Greens brigade of which you seem to be part. I learnt my history of Europe in WWII closer to the source and guess what, the Allies were the good guys but it sounds like you would have been with Chamberlain cheering for “peace (appeasement) in our time”.
by Mick77 on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:47 pm
Dio
The US was the clear immediate gainer out the pacific war. As was the Soviet Union which picked up some islands north of Japan which gave it year-round ice free access to the Pacific, most years. The destruction of Japan and the wasteland of China enabled the Soviets to focus their energies on Europe, so middle-Europe was also clear losers from the Pacific War.
The long term winners were China and all those nations from Pakistan to New Guinea via the Philippines which now control their own destinies.
The big losers with Britain, the Netherlands, Japan and France.
And myself. No more suites of servants.
by Boerwar on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:49 pm
Mick77
And being “aligned” would have made 2/8 th of 1/10th of feck all ?
by poroti on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:51 pm
Strange indeed.
AFR reduced to running multipage *stories* about stuff which is not worth referral to the Police.
Why then run it ? is the obvious question.
To disarm the ticking bomb Stutsbury ?
by dave on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:51 pm
Diogenes
Not sure what you mean by “belligerent” but last time I checked USA is still here (and will be for a long time despite the many posters here, not you, who harbour a hatred for the West).
by Mick77 on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:52 pm
Worried about the big bad Germans again are we? Or maybe it’s the Russians…no, can’t be them, they’re no longer Communist and couldn’t afford to fight anyway.
China? Maybe, but if they’re a threat, why the Hell are we trading more with them all the time? You wouldn’t be another Pig iron Bob, would you Mick? Wanna trade your job and home, just so the US can have a base or two here and poke its tongue out at China, do you? (’cause that’s what will happen if the China trade is lost to us.They’re our most important trading partnera and that means your most important trading partner too Mick).
Face it mate, you’ve got a choice to make. The Yanks will still be trying to pull this “we saved yo’ asses – so you owe us” gig on your grand kids’ grandkids.
You seem to fall for it. Hopefiully, unlike you, they won’t. They’ll realise which side of the bred the butter is on and act accordingly. maybe you should think about giving it a go too.
As for the Yanks and WW2, they wouldn’t have lifted a finger to help us or anyone else if they hadn’t seen it as being in their best interests to do so.
And don’t you forget it.
by smithe on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:53 pm
m77
You could always argue the substance of my point. Your argument is that Belgium, Denmark and Norway took the wrong course by not forming an alliance and by staying neutral. Belgium was an ally of the Allies. Denmark and Norway were neutral. All three were invaded. Sweden and Switzerland were neutral. This saved them from invasion. This is not rocket science. It is basic WW2 history.
I have no idea why you should be faffing on about the Greens and loonies. My suggestion would be to actually learn some real history instead of imagining it.
I have often argued that there was no need for Australia to join in Mr Stalin’s war to defeat Mr Hitler. (Let’s face it the British Empire was a bit player in that war, pariticularlly Australia. Don’t just take this as Greens gospel, BTW. Have a look at the USSR’s casualty figures). Anyway, both were ruthless dictators, both murdered millions, but Stalin, IMHO, was worse. What was in our interests, or in the interests of democracy or whatever else, to subject half of Europe to Mr Stalin?
by Boerwar on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:54 pm
Mick
Using belligerent in the technical term as in formally declared war. It said that in the US, only Congress can declare war; the president can’t do it by himself.
by Diogenes on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:55 pm
Yep, the main culprit.
by Scringler on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:55 pm
Pegasus
Watch and enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeHTziiFVx0
by poroti on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:57 pm
dave
Not sure what u mean?
by victoria on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:58 pm
Poroti
What it means is standing up for what is right even at a cost, a concept foreign to you apparently. Denmark at least to their everlasting credit took a stand eventually by refusing to handover their Jews to the Nazis when they were occupied, even at great risk to themselves.
by Mick77 on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:58 pm
New Zealand asserting itself agains the big Bro across the Ditch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo6fgZ-dbOw
by Boerwar on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:59 pm
Mick77
The Japanese were only coming to stick their hand over the back fence and say ‘hello’ …
Yeah – right.
by CTar1 on Mar 29, 2012 at 8:59 pm
M77
So, Mr Stalin, the biggest single gainer out of WW2 was ‘right’? Give me a break.
by Boerwar on Mar 29, 2012 at 9:00 pm
CTar1 @ 2944
I take it you have a point but I am a bit far gone along the Bundy trail to actually understand it.
by Boerwar on Mar 29, 2012 at 9:01 pm
The second Australian/New Zealand War. The good guys win again. Right is might and might is right.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RenRILqwhJs
by Boerwar on Mar 29, 2012 at 9:02 pm
The topic of alignment has run away a bit but what I’m saying is that Oz should be aligned more with Western democracies who have principles, and in particular the leader of the free world the USA, even though we know that espoused principles aren’t always perfectly enacted. Keep away from undemocratic regimes – trade yes, but alignments no.
by Mick77 on Mar 29, 2012 at 9:04 pm