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 He has been replaced by Karen McNamara, a WorkCover public servant who reportedly has backing from the party’s right, who was defeated by Whitaker in the original preselection vote in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-
Australia mentioned. Finding of bias.
Rupert takes pride that he’s never pushed News’ commercial interests in their newspapers.
by Bushfire Bill on Apr 25, 2012 at 7:48 pm
He is blaming the HRH The Queen for The Dismissal?????
F&)*n cheeck
by Puff, the Magic Dragon. on Apr 25, 2012 at 7:48 pm
I wasn’t even aware he spoke English
by Danny Lewis on Apr 25, 2012 at 7:48 pm
News Ltd Counsel and strategist – his face will tell the story.
by CTar1 on Apr 25, 2012 at 7:48 pm
Rupey keeps interrupting Jay trying to put Jay off, tough luck there, mate.
by Puff, the Magic Dragon. on Apr 25, 2012 at 7:49 pm
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/a-place-shining-with-honour–pm-20120425-1xkg3.html#ixzz1t2njMGx9
Yeah, but what about THAT HAT?
by Bushfire Bill on Apr 25, 2012 at 7:49 pm
Thanks CTar.
So far he has looked slightly bemused.
That makes at leas 5 News people on the right.
by This little black duck on Apr 25, 2012 at 7:50 pm
Jay tells Rupert “We’ll find some more” critics.
by Bushfire Bill on Apr 25, 2012 at 7:50 pm
BB
Loved the hat, too. That outfit was awesome.
by Puff, the Magic Dragon. on Apr 25, 2012 at 7:51 pm
Soliloquy from ‘honour.
by BK on Apr 25, 2012 at 7:51 pm
Doubt that, I think old rupe will try on his slightly senile act again, not recalling, not remembering, having to check with others, similar to his last appearance.
Wonder how a senile old rupe will suit the shareholders, he might have to walk (dodder along) a fine line as to getting out of this mess and stepping into a much bigger one with his shareholders.
by HaveAchat on Apr 25, 2012 at 7:52 pm
‘honour = ‘shonour
by BK on Apr 25, 2012 at 7:52 pm
That hat is wonderful
by my say on Apr 25, 2012 at 7:52 pm
TLBD – As I expected Leveson and Jay will strike on Rupert so the don’t have to challenge the politicians directly.
by CTar1 on Apr 25, 2012 at 7:52 pm
TLBD @3356
Rodrie is the important one.
by CTar1 on Apr 25, 2012 at 7:54 pm
BK,
‘sHonour is just lining up the ducks. This is the “How many editors, and why, have you sacked” duck.
by This little black duck on Apr 25, 2012 at 7:54 pm
The hat looked good and was a mark of respect. It was from the WW1 era in design. From my dim memories regarding woman’s fashion.
by guytaur on Apr 25, 2012 at 7:55 pm
The pollies get to front in phase 3.
by This little black duck on Apr 25, 2012 at 7:55 pm
Has the tabloid press improved since 1968?
Yes, the Sun has, but not his competitors.
by Bushfire Bill on Apr 25, 2012 at 7:55 pm
BB
Depends what you define as improved.
by guytaur on Apr 25, 2012 at 7:56 pm
by Dan Gulberry on Apr 25, 2012 at 7:57 pm
Yes gutaur
Those ladies had style
by my say on Apr 25, 2012 at 7:57 pm
“To always tell the truth.”
Ye gods and little fishes!
by This little black duck on Apr 25, 2012 at 7:57 pm
Murdoch is looking humbler by the minute
by Danny Lewis on Apr 25, 2012 at 7:58 pm
Danny,
May his humbling be complete.
by This little black duck on Apr 25, 2012 at 7:59 pm
guytaur
That’s when I stopped buying the Australian. Have never gone back.
by ajm on Apr 25, 2012 at 7:59 pm
He has “great respect for the British public”. Obviously doesn’t care about his Australian readers!
Also very good at playing the doddery semi-senile old idiot, fumbling with the pages, not knowing where he is etc.
I love that he thinks the Sun is a good newspaper. It’s not really fit to line a budgie’s cage!
by Allan Moyes on Apr 25, 2012 at 8:01 pm
In the episodes of upstaires down stairs, the titanic, down town abbey, re the hat
Love to see that style return cloche hat just crocheted one for our granddaughter with a big daisey on the side
by my say on Apr 25, 2012 at 8:01 pm
His modesty is commendable
by Allan Moyes on Apr 25, 2012 at 8:03 pm
my say
You’ll be unhappy to know that the more recent version of Upstairs Downstairs has been axed. Apparently it can’t compete with Downton Abbey.
by Allan Moyes on Apr 25, 2012 at 8:05 pm
TLBD – They’ve prepared well.
Not only MT but Mr Butler gets a mention and Jay is into the detail.
Robert Armstrong not mentioned so I guess his separation policy was OK.
by CTar1 on Apr 25, 2012 at 8:05 pm
Tsk tsk. More personal abuse rather than engagement with argument.
Your choice, which I think reflects on you rather than anyone else.
by confessions on Apr 25, 2012 at 8:05 pm
[Allan Moyes
Posted Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 8:01 pm | Permalink
He has “great respect for the British public”. Obviously doesn’t care about his Australian readers!
Also very good at playing the doddery semi-senile old idiot, fumbling with the pages, not knowing where he is etc.
I love that he thinks the Sun is a good newspaper. It’s not really fit to line a budgie’s cage!
The budgie would want better to shit upon wouldn't it?" I think the Sun is disgusting, but guess that is why Rupert thinks it is so great
by mari on Apr 25, 2012 at 8:07 pm
Rupert is starting to feel comfortable. He’s unwinding, volunteering information.
by Bushfire Bill on Apr 25, 2012 at 8:07 pm
Rupert just said the Sun WAS a good paper. Another one biting the dust?
Or just slip of tongue?
by guytaur on Apr 25, 2012 at 8:08 pm
From my memory of the report, if the PM looked at them (though mostly she ignored them), they hurriedly ran for cover.
I’d imagine it didn’t bother her much, knowing the pair were both cowards.
by Gorgeous Dunny on Apr 25, 2012 at 8:09 pm
Mr Murdoch says too much.
Mr Jay just picked him up on “sorry to say” he didn’t exercise more control over NotW.
by This little black duck on Apr 25, 2012 at 8:09 pm
Thats ashame, i think they would of had more viewers, if they had remade the old series, thats what i thought i was going to see. Alan
by my say on Apr 25, 2012 at 8:10 pm
BHL
I don’t find bemused’s comments sad so much as unsurprising.
Hate radio is littered with “old men” like him who want to slag off at the PM at any opportunity.
It appears to be a cult thing now; who can make the most egregious observations about Julia Gillard. It’s disappointing esp when you consider that bemused is allegedly an ALP member.
by confessions on Apr 25, 2012 at 8:10 pm
TLBD
Jay has a mind like a steel trap, Roop the Snoop had better watch his words.
by Puff, the Magic Dragon. on Apr 25, 2012 at 8:11 pm
Rupert admits he decides which Party the Newspapers to back
by The Finnigans on Apr 25, 2012 at 8:11 pm
Finny
Yep.
by Puff, the Magic Dragon. on Apr 25, 2012 at 8:12 pm
Rupert now admits, not just the Hitler Diary was a fake, but he is also a fake
by The Finnigans on Apr 25, 2012 at 8:12 pm
I agree about Julia’s hat. Great choice for the occasion.
by This little black duck on Apr 25, 2012 at 8:12 pm
Mick77 , we will have to, because all the Right wing loonies would have left to go to the USA on the 1st flight out of Australia.
by Lord Barry Bonkton on Apr 25, 2012 at 8:14 pm
Pegasus,
Blimey! Throughout history economies have gone through booms & busts, generations have had favorable conditions and suffered recessions/depressions etc.
In some respects, it is more like the luck of the draw. My mother was born in 1930, suffered with her family through the depression, then WW11, the rebuilding afterwards which saw many deprivations and a very slow recovery of the economy.
As an apprentice she earned $1.75 per week. There was no such thing as superannuation. She was only able to do as I expect most women of the time were expected to do and that was to marry, have a family & depend on her husband to support her & them.
When I started work at the age of 15, I was paid a wage of $16.25 per week. I was more privileged than the average worker in that I was entitled to superannuation. This was a deduction of 3.5% of my my gross salary.
After four years I changed jobs to an industry that was a pace-setter at the time that offered superannuation to its employees at 5% of their salary after five years of service. After 25 years of service to that company, I left with stuff all superannuation that has been slashed twice in the last ten years as a roll-over.
Yeah, I and most of my peers are bloody millionaires. Get this into your stupid head. Over the term of a lifetime, there will be numerous peaks and troughs in the economy that will have an effect on your retirement capacity.
Don’t sit there and have cheap shots at those who go before you as exactly the same thing will happen to you.
Tems of thopusands of my hard earned (and I mean HARD earned)
by scorpio on Apr 25, 2012 at 8:14 pm
Conroy must be rubbing his hands. Some real meat inluding Australian onnections to fire people up. Especially True Believers.
by guytaur on Apr 25, 2012 at 8:14 pm
Let me summarise: Rupert admits 1, He wants to crush the Unions 2. He decides which Party the newspapers back, meaning #RegimeChange
by The Finnigans on Apr 25, 2012 at 8:15 pm
confessions @ 3388
Fascinated that you are so keen to talk about me. Completely from ignorance of course.
by bemused on Apr 25, 2012 at 8:16 pm
Why wouldn’t they?
Baby boomers’ acquisition of wealth is tied up in the family home, but younger generations’ are tied up in superannuation.
by confessions on Apr 25, 2012 at 8:17 pm