Essential Research: 58-42 to Coalition
This week’s Essential Research poll gives Labor its worst result since the company opened for business in 2008: a primary vote of 29%, down two points on last week, and a two-party preferred deficit of 58-42. The former is particularly alarming for Labor, as Essential typically has Labor’s primary vote a few points higher than the phone pollsters. The Coalition and the Greens are steady on 50% and 11%.
With respect to the economy, 66% allowed that it had performed better than other countries’ over the past few years (although this was down from 70% in August last year), with 15% believing it to be worse (up from 10%). In the event of another global financial crisis, 42% would better trust the Liberal Party to deal with it than Labor, on 25%. Forty-six per cent anticipate the economy will get worse over the next 12 months against 23% who think it will get better (the figures when the question was asked a year ago were 37% worse and 27% better).
Sixty-two per cent believe a politician accused of an offence should stand down from their positions, against 27% who believe they should be allowed to continue. Questions on banking suggest the public to be well to the left of the elites on these matters: 55% would support the establishment of a government-owned bank, 74% forcing banks to charge rates in line with the Reserve Bank, 81% capping chief executive’s salaries, 92% limiting bank fees to the costs of the service and 59% a super profits tax on banks (the numbers opposed were respectively 23%, 16%, 12%, 5% and 21%). Fifty-nine per cent would support a levy on large transactions of currencies, bonds and shares, with 16% opposed.
Categories: Federal Politics 2010-
shellbell
The re-opening date for the Hydro is sometime in 2012.
by Boerwar on May 9, 2012 at 5:42 pm
The Kids stuff has passed the Reps.
Next.
by ruawake on May 9, 2012 at 5:42 pm
I have nothing to go on with regard to Torbay and Windsor’s intentions, but both are too experienced and cunning (I mean that as a compliment in this case) for this to be anything but a fait accompli in my opinion.
I suspect that, given this development, Mr Windsor will not contest the next election. He’s done his bit for Australia, more than his share.
by don on May 9, 2012 at 5:43 pm
Yay!
by victoria on May 9, 2012 at 5:44 pm
Dee
It wouldn’t surprise me if the Wollemi Pines area was a no-go zone. It would make sense to me. If people are particularly interested, most bot gardens have a specimen these days.
by Boerwar on May 9, 2012 at 5:44 pm
Katter got air time for his vanishing race comments. Guess it helped cut down positive time on the budget.
by guytaur on May 9, 2012 at 5:45 pm
Loved Penny Wong in the Senate this afternoon.
At one stage she referred to an interview with Hockey where he was asked by a reporter what the difference was between the School Kid money being given out by Labor in this budget and the Baby Bonus money given out in budgets past by the conservatives. She said that Hockey said:
“You have to have a baby”
This was met rightly with uproars of laughter and scorn (for sloppy joe) from the chamber.
by deflationite on May 9, 2012 at 5:48 pm
In my Inbox
by guytaur on May 9, 2012 at 5:49 pm
On #TheirABC, I suppose? That’s the sort of thing they’d be all over.
by Cuppa on May 9, 2012 at 5:49 pm
Also, days of significance do come around every now and then. They are days that signify a turning point.
Today was that day for the Australian.
Today was the day the Australian jumped the shark.
Things will never be the same again.
by deflationite on May 9, 2012 at 5:51 pm
Friggin’ Hinch. First, smears Labor and then backs down. For all his courage (and granstanding) re other issues, this is just plain weak.
by Super on May 9, 2012 at 5:51 pm
Dave@4133:
It is in a very remote area, in a canyon. You would not get to it without knowing exactly where to go, and it would not be a good idea. The last thing it needs is people trampling around on its surface roots.
There are plenty of Wollemi Pines available for purchase in the nurseries. We’ve got one in our very large native plant garden, and it is thriving up here in the Armidale region.
It needs well drained soil, to be sheltered from wind, and a semi-shaded, moist environment. The originals grow in a sandstone environment, but it seems to enjoy our free draining basalt soils.
The cold temperatures here don’t seem to affect it at all, but it is under a forest canopy on our place. I doubt that it ever experiences frost in the place in the garden where it grows.
We get ground temperatures of -14 deg C in exposed areas in winter, but the ground temperatures I have measured under the canopy are more like +1 to +2 deg C on the same night.
by don on May 9, 2012 at 5:52 pm
So the stupid Libs have to face the fact that they voted against giving parents a bribe each year.
Try and spin that Tony, it went through the Reps before you could get the party room to decide what to do. Have you lost control of the Party?
by ruawake on May 9, 2012 at 5:53 pm
Super
As soon as the msm see Labor has an advantage, they pounce. It is too predictable
by victoria on May 9, 2012 at 5:53 pm
def/4159
Yes totally agree with you. The question is what is the ABC going to do now their one stop shop for days agenda of news is discredited?
by guytaur on May 9, 2012 at 5:53 pm
ru
I daresay Abbott is losing it completely.
by victoria on May 9, 2012 at 5:54 pm
Anyone explain to me the public policy benefit in this school kids thing?
by ltep on May 9, 2012 at 5:56 pm
Retail stimulus?
by ruawake on May 9, 2012 at 5:57 pm
Shellbell – Ta – didn’t know that.
BW –
They only made public that they had found the Wollemis, 10 – 12 years ago and it was really *stubbled* upon in the mountains purely by chance.
Haven’t partaken at the Hydro but have driven past it for many many years going somewhere distant or returning from same. Always meant to stop have a look etc but haven’t so far.
The Hydro was of course the honeymoon destination of choice for many, back in the day.
Isn’t there a couple of Wollemi Pines in the Botanical Gardens in Sydney ?
I used to love going for long walks from North Sydney across the Harbour Bridge/ Cahill Expressway up past Government House/ Mrs MacQuaries Chair/ Fleet Steps then into the Botanical Gardens and back home, often having a couple of coldies at the Glenmore Hotel in Cumberland Street in The Rocks.
by dave on May 9, 2012 at 5:57 pm
Richard Torbay is a previous member of the ALP. It could also be said that he played footsie with them when he agreed to be Speaker of the NSW parliament after the 2007 election.
by blackburnpseph on May 9, 2012 at 5:57 pm
So the coalition voted against the Kids Bonus? (doesn’t that just roll off the keyboard!)
by Puff, the Magic Dragon. on May 9, 2012 at 5:58 pm
Does anyone know how I apply for the 74% frisbee rebate?
by ShowsOn on May 9, 2012 at 5:59 pm
1. Bypasses red tape (no receipts required).
2. Pays money up-front (stimulus)
3. Clears decks for budget surplus next financial year.
4. Restores confidence (already an uptick in retailers’ stock prices).
5. Wins Labor some votes back.
6. Does a public good by exposing Coalition hypocrisy.
by Bushfire Bill on May 9, 2012 at 5:59 pm
Showson
by Puff, the Magic Dragon. on May 9, 2012 at 6:00 pm
Itep
It is a variation on an existing policy called the Education Tax rebate. Basically parents that receive FTB A can claim education expenses for that financial year. Books, computer equipment, stationery and uniforms. Previously you could claim an amount, but it required expenditure of double the amount of the rebate. For eg. In order to receive $500, you had to have expended $1,000. Now it is an automatic payment for families who receive FTB A.
by victoria on May 9, 2012 at 6:00 pm
by guytaur on May 9, 2012 at 6:00 pm
Thanks Don.
by dave on May 9, 2012 at 6:00 pm
Itep
What BB said sounds about right!!
by victoria on May 9, 2012 at 6:01 pm
Greece looks like rejecting Euro rescue plan and having another election as result.
by guytaur on May 9, 2012 at 6:03 pm
Ecnommic stimulus. Social justice. Ameliorating the effects of the two-speed economy (IOW spreading the benefits of the mining boom).
by Cuppa on May 9, 2012 at 6:04 pm
7. And should just get us through till tax return time.
by joe2 on May 9, 2012 at 6:04 pm
So abbott gets longer than the pm on 7 ?.
..
by my say on May 9, 2012 at 6:04 pm
Sorry its Peter not stephen Martin on the Drum
by guytaur on May 9, 2012 at 6:04 pm
The PM made the comment the other night that the June payment would help families pay for things for winter. Mrs Pseph made the comment that the statement showed the PM just didn’t get the family thing – kids go into winter uniform in April.
by blackburnpseph on May 9, 2012 at 6:05 pm
Yeah, but they vote against LOTS of things, in the full knowledge that they’ll be passed. It helps maintain their “policy purity”, while still getting the goodies out.
They know that the press will cover for them, so there’s no downside.
Expect now that a list of
(a) dead people
(b) dead kids
(c) overseas resident families
(d) noble parents who don’t want to suck off the public tit
will be dug up and put out as “more Labor waste”.
This stuff is so easy you could script it in your sleep.
by Bushfire Bill on May 9, 2012 at 6:06 pm
Now Annabel Crabbe makes appearance.
by guytaur on May 9, 2012 at 6:06 pm
Victoria @ 4174
Uniforms were not included in the rebate – Tony Abbott promised extending it to uniforms before the last election.
by blackburnpseph on May 9, 2012 at 6:06 pm
Tim Palmer starting a Ferrari for Public Servants rumour.
by guytaur on May 9, 2012 at 6:07 pm
Don
The Wollemi pine has fascinating growth tips.
Does yours ooze white sap?
by Dee on May 9, 2012 at 6:07 pm
SNIP: Abuse deleted – The Management.
by Bushfire Bill on May 9, 2012 at 6:08 pm
bbp
No you are wrong. The govt extended uniforms into the rebate. I know because my sister got the pamphlet about it.
by victoria on May 9, 2012 at 6:08 pm
Yes, Victoria, apparently there are some-20%?- who have not been taking up the allowance. It will slip some extra cash quickly into the economy early but many will have already spent it.
by joe2 on May 9, 2012 at 6:08 pm
BB
You read my thoughts!
by victoria on May 9, 2012 at 6:08 pm
A question – do you need to have taxable income to get the Family Tax Benefit? As the schoolkids payment goes to those getting FTB A – do families dependent on social security get it?
by blackburnpseph on May 9, 2012 at 6:09 pm
Crabbe highlighting Opposition voting no to schoolkids bonus
by guytaur on May 9, 2012 at 6:09 pm
BBS,
Nice try. But shoes do wear out all year round. Payment of school fees, excursions, books and outings. etc. etc.
Return the cheques if you can’t use it.
by Greensborough Growler on May 9, 2012 at 6:10 pm
A totally unwarranted insult that I take great offence to! An apology please.
by blackburnpseph on May 9, 2012 at 6:10 pm
Bbp
It is funny that you even suggest that it was Abbott who included uniforms, when this very day they vote against the bonus completely!!!!
by victoria on May 9, 2012 at 6:10 pm
The politics of this is the Libs voted against a bill to give parents dollars. It is not everyone, plus cat and dead uncle, it is people registered for FB part A.
It passed the day after it was announced. Abbott’s leadership should be under real pressure from those who think they can do better.
by ruawake on May 9, 2012 at 6:11 pm
Blackburnpseph,
Not in Qld, winter uniform only worn in SEQ, starting in May. Not needed on top end Qld
by dogma on May 9, 2012 at 6:11 pm