Essential Research: 56-44 to Coalition
This week’s Essential Research shows no real change in voting intention on last week, with the Coalition up a point on the primary vote to 49 per cent, Labor and the Greens steady on 31 per cent and 11 per cent, and two-party preferred steady at 56-44. The poll also measures Bob Brown’s approval rating at 42 per cent and disapproval at 34 per cent (including very favourable figures among Labor voters of 60 per cent and 15 per cent); has 31 per cent favouring Kevin Rudd as Labor leader over 16 per cent for Julia Gillard (Gillard leads 40 per cent to 33 per cent among Labor voters); and 30 per cent favouring Malcolm Turnbull as Liberal leader with 23 per cent for Tony Abbott (Abbott leads 39 per cent to 26 per cent among Coalition voters). Further questions on the mining boom have 66 per cent believing it has benefited them “not at all”, 51 per cent supporting the mining tax (down one on mid-March) and 29 per cent opposing it (down five).
Federal preselection happenings in New South Wales:
• The NSW Liberal Party state executive has voted to dump Garry Whitaker as its candidate for Craig Thomson’s seat of Dobell. He has been replaced by Karen McNamara, a WorkCover public servant who reportedly has backing from the party’s right, who was defeated by Whitaker in the original preselection vote in December. Whitaker has since been struggling with allegations he had lived for several years without council permission in an “ensuite shed” on his Wyong Creek property while awaiting approval to build a house there.
• More proactivity from the NSW Liberal state executive in neighbouring Robertson, a seat the party was disappointed not to have won in 2010. Local branches have had imposed upon them Lucy Wicks, who herself holds a position on the executive by virtue of her status as president of the party’s Women’s Council. Wicks was identified by the Sydney Morning Herald last year as a member of the “centre right” faction associated with federal Mitchell MP Alex Hawke, which in alliance with the moderates had secured control of the state executive. Like the Dobell intervention, the imposition of Wicks occurred at the insistence of Tony Abbott – local branches in both seats have called emergency meetings to express their displeasure.
• Michelle Hoctor of the Illawarra Mercury reports Ann Sudmalis, the candidate backed by retiring member Joanna Gash, won Liberal preselection on Saturday in Gilmore with 16 votes against 10 for her main rival Andrew Guile. Rounding out the field were Alby Schultz’s son Grant, who scored four votes, and Meroo Meadow marketing consultant Catherine Shields on one. For those wondering about the small number of votes, the NSW Liberals’ preselection procedure involves branches being allocated a number of selection committee delegates in proportion to their membership, rather than a massed rank-and-file ballot.
• Imre Salusinszky of The Australian reports the Nationals are in the “‘initial stages’ of discussions with popular independent state MP Richard Torbay about endorsing him for a tilt at independent federal MP Tony Windsor in New England”. Torbay has been the independent member for Northern Tablelands since 1999, and served as Legislative Assembly Speaker during Labor’s last term in office.
Categories: Federal Politics 2010-
Please be warned – The new BISONS are coming. I mean NEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #auspol
by The Finnigans on Apr 24, 2012 at 9:34 am
boerwar
Remember Mr Thomson’s wife wrote in the msm about giving her husband and family some respect re his illness. Abbott and his cronies were carrying on about it at the time. Thomson’s illness could have stemmed from the stress and harrassment being put on him by his work colleagues ie Abbott and Co. I reckon Thomson may have a much stronger case than the guy suing Slipper
by victoria on Apr 24, 2012 at 9:35 am
Other than a leadership change, the best Labor can do is some mother of a distraction. I can’t think of too many in Australia other than a Republic debate.
by bluegreen on Apr 24, 2012 at 9:37 am
It’s a serious situation where one party, and one only, is allowed to get off practically scott-free, thereby giving them a political advantage that money couldn’t buy. If the media were to tell the full TRUTH about the toxic Liberal agenda, and to keep on reinforcing it till the audience’s ears bled, the polling “competitiveness” they enjoy now would be reversed and probably never recoverable.
People just need to get the facts on ALL the parties, all the policies, unspun, to make rational democratic judgements. In the absence of them getting that, the integrity of democracy is eroded at the individual, voter level. A fundamental distortion, due to the influence of the toxic media.
by Cuppa on Apr 24, 2012 at 9:38 am
702 Have Gary Punch on talking politics. One of course being Sydney is Second Airport.
Remember Gary Punch resigned over Third Runway.
by guytaur on Apr 24, 2012 at 9:38 am
bg
as I said yesterday, watch this space. There is time enough for distractions. I suspect the heat is going to be on the Fibs eventually.
by victoria on Apr 24, 2012 at 9:38 am
Well, as Emma Alberici told us last night, that will be up to journalists and ‘commentator’s to decide.
by Son of foro on Apr 24, 2012 at 9:42 am
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1644897/Singapore-backs-Australias-UN-bid
http://afr.com/p/national/super_funds_to_get_cgt_relief_LN9pcAl6AnWCxpNnTuosrM
http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/no-time-to-sink-slipper/story-fn6ck620-1226336490317
raises the Utegate business
by Leroy on Apr 24, 2012 at 9:42 am
The case may ultimately be thrown out but the mud has stuck. Labor needs time. The need to hold ground until they can organise a smooth leadership transition and install a new leader that hsas time to sell a vision.
But in the meantime they need a heated distraction. I honestly think a Republic debate during the London Olympics would abe a good thing.
by bluegreen on Apr 24, 2012 at 9:42 am
SOF
That was a particularly crappy interview by Alberici. I guess she was playing devil’s advocate. But it came across as if the journos and commentators have every right to be kingmaker. Pathetic stuff
by victoria on Apr 24, 2012 at 9:44 am
by Leroy on Apr 24, 2012 at 9:45 am
Leroy
Keep us posted. It does smell to high heaven re LNP involved in Slipper matter
by victoria on Apr 24, 2012 at 9:46 am
bg
There yet may become a time when Abbott is going to be royally pissed off with the advice he has been taking in how to handle his position as Officer in charge of muckracking and mudslinging. As I said, watch this space
by victoria on Apr 24, 2012 at 9:48 am
Confessions @ 1120
Mr Slipper was never nominated by the Coalition for the Deputy Speaker’s job. The Coalition nominated the Member for Maranoa. The Labor Party used its numbers in the HoR to elevate Mr Slipper to Deputy Speaker and to do over Wilkie they gave Harry Jenkins the shove and installed Mr Slipper as the Speaker. Whilst there are valid questions to be asked regarding the continued pre-selection of Mr Slipper as the Member for Fisher, his positions as Deputy Speaker and Speaker are largely the responsibility of the Labor Party and its allies on the floor of the House.
by ShireGuy on Apr 24, 2012 at 9:48 am
Slipper should be congratulated for having secures his limos have at such low economy rates!
For its ordinary cab charge (not the more expensive Silver Service) from Toowoomba to Briz Airport, a local company quotes c$520 (it’s $350 to Brisbane). Individual drivers, however, may negotiate lower ($450-400). Limos charge considerably more.
The significant cost lies in “boundary crossing” into the Briz cab area; ie, once the boundary is crossed, patrons are hit with a return-to-base fare. BTW, Slipper’s Sunshine Coast home base is also outside Briz cab area, so the charge to Briz Airport would, at best, be only slightly less that the charge from Toowoomba.
All three private services (pref Limos, or Silver Service, even Taxis at a pinch) act as ComCar substitutes in areas where keeping ComCars locally available is not financially smart. Getting Comcar contracts (inc for driving Veterans to Briz for medical treatment) is a real bonus for company & drivers.
I’m reliably informed Ian McFarlane uses taxis – or did until the new early-morning direct Tmba to Sydney flights were introduced. I know it’s designed to connect with other commuter flights (in air travel, the infuriating time-waster is time stuffing around airports and/ or waiting for connections). I’d have to check my cabbie sources to see if he still does.
Any media/ LNP Shock! Horror! Waste, real or otherwise (mainly the latter) over the $300 fare N Coast-Briz betrays ignorance, facts not checked (at best) or downright dishonesty on the journo/ shoc-jock/ pollie’s part; since it takes but a phonecall to get the cab price.
by OzPol Tragic on Apr 24, 2012 at 9:49 am
Someone we all know may not be jumping for joy at that news.
by janice2 on Apr 24, 2012 at 9:53 am
janice2
Now who could that be?
by victoria on Apr 24, 2012 at 9:54 am
What a smartarse
Would any MSM journo have said this about any other PM.
by ajm on Apr 24, 2012 at 9:57 am
ajm
Mind you Latika gets paid by us the taxpayers. Someone needs to remind her. She is really giving me the shits lately
by victoria on Apr 24, 2012 at 9:59 am
the Finnigans
You should remind Libtika that it is the taxpayer that pays for her crappy stenography skills. Hubris is not a good look for a young person who still has a lot to learn
by victoria on Apr 24, 2012 at 10:01 am
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-24/combet-foreshadows-pan-asian-carbon-trading-pact/3967970
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/big-states-fall-short-in-bid-to-fix-gst/story-fn59niix-1226336628567
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/review-heralded-as-first-nail-in-coffin-of-tax-carve-up/story-fn59niix-1226336587683
by Leroy on Apr 24, 2012 at 10:04 am
Spot on, it was poor.
Thanks Emma, we can’t forget that audiences are watching for you now, can we? The journos should just tell us who is guilty and we can all get on with our lives. With respect, of course.
And how about that most unlikely of skills, listening to an answer. Or did I mean likely, whatever.
by Son of foro on Apr 24, 2012 at 10:05 am
vic,
@latikambourke Hey #ElSlacko, please dont waste our 8c a day
by The Finnigans on Apr 24, 2012 at 10:08 am
The Finnigans
Gee that was hard slap to Libtika, not!
by victoria on Apr 24, 2012 at 10:09 am
The Finnigans
Tell Bourke to ask Abbott What did he know about Slipper in 2003
by guytaur on Apr 24, 2012 at 10:11 am
SoF
As I mentioned earlier, if in fact Thomson is cleared of any wrongdoing, he has a good case against Abbott and his cronies for defamation and harrassment. A lot of the character assassination against Thomson by Abbott and others, was outside of Parliament. It of course would be a civil claim. Would Abbott then do what he is asking Slipper to do, stand down from his position as LOTO?
by victoria on Apr 24, 2012 at 10:12 am
How about this for a distraction.
1….The Government immediately, and I mean today, awards all print advertising for the next 12/18 months to Fairfax Press.
2….awards one fta channel all electronic media advertising. In addition awards exclusive policy announcements to same channel. In times of confected crisis, such as we are seeing, the fta channel gets first rights, without censorship, to ask any and all such questions as it sees fit. This to be timed for the 6pm bulletins. The independents to afforded the same privileges. Even and especially if they disagree with the Governments policy.
3….the Government to take over funding of community tv channels on the understanding that Uhlman, Ewart, Alberici and others get some , at least basic, idea of what the community expects in terms of ethics.
In short, using money as a means to exploit the venality of the media and turn the corrupt pricks against themselves.
Not much sense abusing them when the Government could be using them.
rant over
by Ian on Apr 24, 2012 at 10:13 am
IF Slipper is found out of any wrong doings or even if he found not in not wrong doings
He should leak the information on what abbott and the liberal party knew
This would put a swift end to Abbott ever being prime minister
by Meguire Bob on Apr 24, 2012 at 10:13 am
ShireGuy
Questions should be raised on why the Coalition did not act on previous allegations as recent as 2010 prior to the election.
If the Coalition concealed misconduct & failed to take action, furthermore concealing it from the parliament, who is responsible?
Rumours fly thick & fast in parliament. You can only make an assessment on the facts.
So blaming the PM for the unknown is quite ridiculous.
by Dee on Apr 24, 2012 at 10:14 am
MB
I am sure Slipper has a few different plans in place. It all depends how it plays out. Does he go with A, B, C, D?………….
by victoria on Apr 24, 2012 at 10:14 am
The so called slipper problem for the liberals
could see a big change on the opposition front bench if, the public knew , who knows what and why they didnt get rid of slipper
by Meguire Bob on Apr 24, 2012 at 10:15 am
MB
IF Slipper is going to do that then I expect he will wait to do max damage. Namely follow previous example and do during election campaign.
by guytaur on Apr 24, 2012 at 10:16 am
Challenge her in the mildest manner, as I did a while back, and she permanently blocks you.
by joe2 on Apr 24, 2012 at 10:16 am
http://www.afr.com/p/national/threat_to_block_slipper_return_ZgpStRdkov6gTNaV1qHOFP
1186 my say
Guytaur
Thanks for the link. But it still doesn’t answer the key question – can Labour get its budget (and other legislation) through the house if Slipper is not in the chair (assuming that Oakeshott, Windsor and Bandt support it. I believe they can because Burke can support the government on any tied votes.
by Darn on Apr 24, 2012 at 10:16 am
The PM sticking the boot into Abbott at Singapore presser earlier.
by This little black duck on Apr 24, 2012 at 10:17 am
If Mr Ashby had made the sexual harassment allegations alone, I wouldn’t suspect anything, but since he has raised the allegations about Slipper and Tony Nutt (which Nutt is now Is saying he’s been defamed in the media from them) I’m beginning to suspect Ashby wasn’t acting alone.
We shall wait and see. If the LNP are involved in this, the political consequences will be very messy
by spur212 on Apr 24, 2012 at 10:17 am
Dee 1228 ignore Shire Guy probably Scott Morrison or someone from his staff
by mari on Apr 24, 2012 at 10:18 am
Wonder Woman to talk to Brandis SC.
Must remember not to forget to miss that.
by This little black duck on Apr 24, 2012 at 10:18 am
Darn
Wilkie and Greens will have more say over the Budget. Could be interesting in relation to getting a surplus.
by guytaur on Apr 24, 2012 at 10:18 am
Janice2 & Victoria
I’d bet it’s the same person who would have noted FP Magazine listing Helen Clark’s importance.
by CTar1 on Apr 24, 2012 at 10:19 am
spur212
Of course Ashby wasn’t acting alone. He was not in parliament in 2003. He must have got this infor from the LNP. I would be interested to know when he employed the professional services of a text transcriber. He only started working for Slipper at beginning of year. Timeline is quite tight.
by victoria on Apr 24, 2012 at 10:19 am
ducky
In a nutshell what did PM say? Thanks in advance
by victoria on Apr 24, 2012 at 10:20 am
Darn
Question is does Bandt, Windsor and Oakie want to risk the govt falling over?
by victoria on Apr 24, 2012 at 10:22 am
Morning Bludgers.
Another day of frantic attempts at regime change from the usual suspects, I see.
You’d reckon they’d have learned by now….still.
Loved Possum’s take-down of that inflated self- important twat Alberici, too. I can’t understand why some here still like her.
She’s a lookit-moi, lookit-moi, fool who thinks her opinion counts for more than that of a Federal Minister. She needed a good slapping- down and I’m pleased to see her get it from the Poss.
Who do these journos think they are?
by smithe on Apr 24, 2012 at 10:22 am
Morning smithe
Agreed. I was very disappointed by Alberici’s effort last night. I know this is the ABC, but there is a real disconnect with the msm in this country not acknowledging Murdoch’s woes.
by victoria on Apr 24, 2012 at 10:25 am
victoria
Oakshott will not risk it unless he feels there really has been a breach of that written agreement. Just like Windsor. Oakshott just shows his emotions over the thinking more than most. Greens least likely to, but will also drop support over speaker is corruption is proved.
Wilkie is a different matter. He wants the Speaker to go to be relevant.
No confidence in the Government is a last resort we are going to an election matter.
by guytaur on Apr 24, 2012 at 10:27 am
victoria,
“That’s the sort of negativity you expect from Mr Abbott.’
Then goes on with the usual “he wants to rip money from working Australians” and so on.
You’ve read the script.
by This little black duck on Apr 24, 2012 at 10:28 am
Libtika is now tweeting Brandis comments on the ABC, because we all know how important his frickin words are
by victoria on Apr 24, 2012 at 10:28 am
Thanks Ducky
I wasn’t sure if she had something further to say
by victoria on Apr 24, 2012 at 10:29 am
unfrickinbelievable crap
by victoria on Apr 24, 2012 at 10:31 am