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 He has been replaced by Karen McNamara, a WorkCover public servant who reportedly has backing from the party’s right, who was defeated by Whitaker in the original preselection vote in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-
Imagine if JG had to say something like this?
by victoria on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:27 pm
Are we going to hear about Bunga bunga parties?
by guytaur on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:28 pm
I notice that NewsCorp share price was up 1.3% last night in New York…perhaps a positive take from the MurdochJ testimony…
by Laocoon on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:28 pm
Did popz ever go to Bunga Bunga
by Last name red wombat on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:29 pm
That’s twice he has never asked Blair for favours.
by This little black duck on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:29 pm
Burgey
I reckon liberaldefender is taking tne piss
by victoria on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:30 pm
never “asked”…….just “told”?
by Last name red wombat on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:30 pm
For multi taskers. Live UK parliamentary question time blog here
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2012/apr/25/pmqs-jeremy-hunt-murdoch-politics-live
by poroti on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:30 pm
Liberal Defender @Liberaldefender Reply Retweeted Favorite · Open
@Thefinnigans Tony Abbott and the Liberals stand for real action
by The Finnigans on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:31 pm
When does the RBA meet, again?
by This little black duck on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:31 pm
victoria/3555
That is ok as long as it is not out the window
by guytaur on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:31 pm
guytaur
Touche’
by victoria on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:32 pm
vic, methinkso
by The Finnigans on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:32 pm
Wonder what abbott or other liberals behind the scenes have Promised.
Probably destroy the NBN to protect Foxtel.
by Schnappi on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:32 pm
Alistair Campbell certainly kept some notes.
by This little black duck on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:33 pm
Schnappi
It is only rational explanation for opposing NBN
by guytaur on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:34 pm
Laocoon , Fairfax said yes , but not till 2068.
by Lord Barry Bonkton on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:34 pm
Murdoch in trouble.
by guytaur on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:34 pm
Bemused – a change of topic. I’ve noticed you are far more kindly disposed towards Kev Rudd than I am, but honestly, the guy can’t help himself. He just loves the limelight. I think he’s saying ” .. errr, hello everyone, I’m still here, and did you know that I speak Mandarin ..?”
http://www.smh.com.au/national/rudd-in-damage-control-as-media-storm-over-sydney-bashing-of-chinese-students-escalates-20120425-1xl4h.html
by Mick77 on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:38 pm
That’s right according to popz invading Iraq would see oil drop to US$20 a barrel
by Last name red wombat on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:38 pm
No-one mention The War.
by Puff, the Magic Dragon. on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:39 pm
Hmmm…..
by victoria on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:39 pm
LordBB – very droll
by Laocoon on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:39 pm
I understand that David Cameron will be attending the Leveson inquiry later in the year but does anyone know if Blair will be called?
by Allan Moyes on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:43 pm
Mick77 @ 3568
Yes, I read that earlier.
So you are of the opinion that if there is an opportunity to assist the government or his country with any of his particular skills he should not?
by bemused on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:44 pm
On No, dont tell me it’s Rupey’s Bunga Bunga, where is Silvio?
by The Finnigans on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:45 pm
Yep Keating famous. Mentioned in same testimony as JK Rowling.
by guytaur on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:46 pm
by victoria on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:48 pm
Mick77 @ 3568
I should have added that yes, I do hold Rudd in high regard and have met him a few times. My local member has had him out to a few fund raising events with the local Chinese community and he is amazingly popular with them.
Holding Rudd in high regard does not mean i cannot also respect other leading figures in the ALP including the Prime Minister. Some here seem to think liking one means hating the other.
by bemused on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:48 pm
Bemused @3574
Well I’m more of the opinion that if there is an opportunity for Rudd to advance his own profile with any of his particular skills he won’t miss it. As I said earlier we have differing views on Rudd .
by Mick77 on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:49 pm
Vic # 3555, there’s normal strength Defender for snails and then there’s liberaldefender for …
by Marrickville Mauler on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:50 pm
“after a long period of Labor rule and felt it was time for a change. ” . So Rupes admits to believing his job description includes deciding when a country needs regime change.
by poroti on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:51 pm
victoria
Slippery Pete might be opening up that famous “dirt file” he had kept for insurance. Mal Brough, Alex Somlyay, maybe even Tony Abbott could feature.
by sprocket_ on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:51 pm
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/apr/25/rupert-murdoch-live-blog
This great for re reading what is said
by my say on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:51 pm
MM
Indeed!
by victoria on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:52 pm
Murdoch’s whole attitude is that HE pulls the strings and the politicians, poor unbalanced, deluded fools that they are, just play in Murdoch’s sandpit, at his pleasure.
by Bushfire Bill on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:52 pm
Rupert losing it methinks
by guytaur on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:52 pm
sprocket
Interesting times……
by victoria on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:52 pm
Did anyone see the 7pm project?
by victoria on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:54 pm
And Murdoch is not a UK citizen. How does he arrogate to himself the right to make or break UK governments?
by Bushfire Bill on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:54 pm
Off topic but I know there are some travellers here -
Looking to go to Bali next July with the wife.
Likely early July.
5 nights – want to stay 3 nights around Seminyak for the touristy/shopping/nightspots, and 2 nights somewhere in Ubud for the relaxation/cultural aspect.
Looking to stay in good 4+ star accom. Don’t want to skimp on hotels. I know food and drink is cheap ($50 a day or thereabouts).
We’ll have $3k to spend all up for flights/accom/food. Realistic? Hotel recommendations? Tips?
by gloryconsequence on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:54 pm
bemused
No, some people think that when someone continually makes snide remarks about someone that that means they don’t like them.
As for ‘respect’, I’m beginning to think that the word doesn’t mean what you think it does.
by zoomster on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:55 pm
@PeterSlipperMP Mr. Speaker, hope you have been watching #Leveson tonight and watch how Mr. Murdoch confirming how he & #News operate
In reply to Peter Slipper MP
by The Finnigans on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:55 pm
BB,
And Australian governments.
by This little black duck on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:55 pm
Mick77 @ 3579
So it seems.
But Rudd’s dilemma is that he keeps getting called upon by other MPs to appear in their electorates and I would be surprised if his involvement in the matter in that report did not arise from a request he received.
I also believe that, while not actively pursuing the leadership, he sees himself as standing ready to be called upon. And that, whilst unlikely, cannot be ruled out.
by bemused on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:57 pm
“to be quite honest with you.”
I should hope so.
by This little black duck on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:57 pm
Such a shame really. As Australians we could have been so proud of his achievements, instead of wanting to see his destruction.
by IMOHO on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:57 pm
The surrounding personel are they boared
by my say on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:58 pm
BB
And US Governments. ( Being citizen one vote only)
by guytaur on Apr 25, 2012 at 9:58 pm
my say
They were probably deciding lunch venue.
by guytaur on Apr 25, 2012 at 10:01 pm