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-
Gillard’s comment nicely balanced Abbott’s suggestion that all parents given unexpected money will waste it on pokies and clubs.
by Bushfire Bill on May 10, 2012 at 7:42 am
For most of the people from the Northern Beaches (Abbott’s seat), Sydney ends at the Harbour Bridge & CBD. West of that is foreign country
by The Finnigans on May 10, 2012 at 7:43 am
confessions
Have you spoken lately to your liberal friend?
by victoria on May 10, 2012 at 7:43 am
@rummel/4934
It’s Undeclared – it didn’t say anything criminal as of yet.
by zoidlord on May 10, 2012 at 7:43 am
morning all
jenny macklin handles fran beautifully!
by Lyne Lady on May 10, 2012 at 7:43 am
Further news from Greece. The Syriza party has failed to form government.
Since it’s very unlikely that the Pasok party will form government, and it’s doubtful that a functioning government can be formed on the floor of parliament (the final option), it looks like the Greeks will have to go to another election in June.
What’s got me wondering is if the next election produces results the same as this one, and then Greece will be stuck with perpetual elections until something gives way, whether it be the Greeks’ patience or the Greek economy.
by Von Kirsdarke on May 10, 2012 at 7:45 am
VK
Can the Greek economy improve
by victoria on May 10, 2012 at 7:46 am
victoria:
He’s now working in Africa somewhere and does FIFO to Perth. I don’t know when I’ll see him again.
by confessions on May 10, 2012 at 7:46 am
by victoria on May 10, 2012 at 7:47 am
Surprise surprise! Michelle doesn’t agree with the PM….
by Lyne Lady on May 10, 2012 at 7:47 am
Based on my experience that is so true.
by confessions on May 10, 2012 at 7:47 am
Michelle – on the other hand – Tony Abbott can virtually do what he likes….
by Lyne Lady on May 10, 2012 at 7:48 am
victoria
Good to see the Crossbenches holding firm.
by guytaur on May 10, 2012 at 7:48 am
confessions
Thanks. Was curious to know if your friend had some inside word on the liberals
by victoria on May 10, 2012 at 7:49 am
Can you believe this Q from Fran Kelly to La Grattan, wtte, “which is more of interest to the punters, Thomson or SchoolKidBonus?” Jesuz.
by The Finnigans on May 10, 2012 at 7:49 am
And our media will let him get away with hoodwinking voters.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-10/abbott-set-to-focus-on-families-in-budget-reply/4001978
by confessions on May 10, 2012 at 7:49 am
Who would have thunk that, Fran Kelly #ABCRN & La Grattan didnt touch #CostelloRation
by The Finnigans on May 10, 2012 at 7:50 am
victoria:
Me too!
by confessions on May 10, 2012 at 7:51 am
confessions @ 4948
Agreed, fess -and great idea re Spencer. Uhlman’s behaviour was disgusting, and I have made a formal complaint about the interview to the ABC management. I would not expect Uhlman to go easy on the PM just because she is his wife’s boss, but the basic civilities should be extended to every interviewee. Uhlman’s lack of respect feeds directly into the ‘illegitimate’ meme.
Someone here last night suggested that using the Twitterverse would be a better approach, applying more pressure than the formal in-house procedure. Perhaps PBers more conversant than I am with Twitter protocols could kick that process off?
by Ozymandias on May 10, 2012 at 7:52 am
Uhlmann actually argued with Gillard, and persisted in interrupting her, speaking louder when she refused to be put off what she was saying.
He also used Tony Jones’ trick of saying, “Alright, alright…” when he became frustrated listening to her answer the question he had asked.
He rapid-fires questions (actually gotchas), one on top of the other. He wants a fight, not an interview. He is not interested in eliciting information, only in glorifying himself to his right-wing mates.
The producers of the show should know that watching one talking head trying to talk over the equally loud voice of an interviewer off-camera means that no information comes out, from either side.
Uhlmann’s most strident interruptions always come when the PM is warming to her point. He knows that if he speaks over the top of her than whatever she is saying will be impossible for the viewer to understand, thus rendering the answer pointless.
His show is tanking in the ratings and I can only presume that, as Uhlmann is the mainstay of 7.30 (along with Lady Eyebrows, Heather Ewart), it is him the viewers don’t like, personally. Must say I can’t blame them.
Uhlmann is one rude bastard. I hold the hope that one day someone will call him out for it and refuse to go on with the interview until he is more polite. Howard did this and it worked. Labor should try the same tactic, politely, but firmly.
by Bushfire Bill on May 10, 2012 at 7:53 am
@Victoria
It’s hard to say, really. I think some economists say that Greece would be best off in the long term if they default on their debts, although they’re also worried about the effects that would have on other struggling European economies, like Spain and Ireland, and could cause a chain reaction ending in GFC II.
It really is a mess over there at the moment.
by Von Kirsdarke on May 10, 2012 at 7:53 am
Gillard should say gay marriage is inevitable and say although it’s not her view, she will not stand in the way of it. You want an issue to wedge Abbott on: this is it
Also, Latham in the AFR is right about Combet’s almost complete silence this year on climate change
by spur212 on May 10, 2012 at 7:53 am
I also thought that the NSW branch paid for Thomson’s legal fees. Doesn’t that bring up the question of who paid for Sen Fisher’s legal fees. I am sure Michael Abbott QC does not come cheap.
by hugh moran on May 10, 2012 at 7:53 am
(will waste it on pokies and clubs.)
Well then bb why is do worried then if so, from memory his duscusdion with wilkie re clubs
Was fruitless, so he says things thst suit him at the time,
Having visited an establishnent with poker machines 80″percent, looked to’old to have children at a
School..
So is that why we never saw pension increases with the libs he was worried where it would be spent:-)
by my say on May 10, 2012 at 7:56 am
Ozy, BB:
The PM gets more far respect from the Sky interviews she does with Speers. At least he doesn’t hector her like Uhlmann did last night.
by confessions on May 10, 2012 at 7:57 am
I’m a bit confused what the pollies think they can do about Thomson – assume the worst, criminal charges are pressed – do they think they can force him to resign??? Surely they don’t have the power to do that???
In terms of votes it will make things harder but not impossible if they find a way to cancel his vote out but even that is going too far – why should his seat be unrepresented while he is still legally entitled to sit in parliament???
Messy – really shouldn’t have ever been there but now he is surely he has some rights
Re baseball bats – last time there were out were for Bligh in Queensland – I don’t see the difference
by womble on May 10, 2012 at 7:57 am
Someone here used to dump the nightly TV ratings. Does anyone any idea where we can get these off the net?
by Bushfire Bill on May 10, 2012 at 8:02 am
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/liberal-mps-battle-it-out-over-claims-of-branch-stacking-20120509-1yd4p.html#ixzz1uPdfoR10
by confessions on May 10, 2012 at 8:02 am
BB @ 4969
You’re right about Uhlman’s rudeness and bastardry, and about his ‘technique’ of rapid-fire gotchas. He is not at all interested in the answers to his questions -often more assertion and allegation- but in smearing his interview subject with his own slime (unless it is Abbot, who has plenty slime of his own).
I wonder, though, whether the PM would be able to get away with refusing to proceed with an interview as Howard did. I can just imagine the acres of newsprint Murdoch’s shit-sheets would devote to stories and commentary about JG’s “glass jaw”, etc. And the other MSM outlets would slavishly follow the meme:
etc ad nauseum.
Perhaps Albanese, Emerson or Wong could get away with it?
by Ozymandias on May 10, 2012 at 8:04 am
confessions
I always said that there was going to be a fight for the soul of the Liberal Party. Costello and his ilk must be getting really toey about the hard right direction of the party
by victoria on May 10, 2012 at 8:04 am
Confessions
Absolutely true re Sydney (although they are allowed a few slumming it trips to Glebe and Balmain. Parramatta has become almost respectable. If you are from the NS but not rich enough to buy/live there you go to the mountains to live
.
by daretotread on May 10, 2012 at 8:06 am
my say @ 4973
Excellent points, my say. If it wasn’t for seniors, the poker machines at the casino here in Perth would be mostly empty.
by Ozymandias on May 10, 2012 at 8:08 am
by guytaur on May 10, 2012 at 8:08 am
Even though these are very safe tory electorates, there are still heaps of Labor supporters in the seats.
by dave on May 10, 2012 at 8:10 am
Fran Kelly giving Prissy quite a hard time over the education bonus.
by BK on May 10, 2012 at 8:10 am
Hey finns
Noticed how El Slacko never linked not one article re Slipper and the coalition, but gee she goes to town on Thomson. libtika suits her perfectly
by victoria on May 10, 2012 at 8:11 am
Fran Kelly, sticking pins in Chris Pyne’s bullshit narrative. Beautiful to watch.
by Space Kidette on May 10, 2012 at 8:11 am
Fran has Prissy in knots.
by BK on May 10, 2012 at 8:11 am
Really? Pyne getting a serve. i dont believe it!
by victoria on May 10, 2012 at 8:12 am
Good Morning, Bludgers.
Since c3 February 1983 at the latest. In a series of cartoons by (from memory) Moir.
In the early one or two, Bill Hayden is walking along the street towards a corner. Hiding near the edge of the cross street side of a big building are Fraser & Howard with baseball bats ready to swing. Howard is giggling tehe tehe tehe.
In the next, an arm hauls Hayden off his feet and away: still behind the building with Fraser, baseball bats ready, Howard is still giggling: tehe tehe.
In the next, Fraser and Howard leap out with dawning horror on their faces. Walking up the street now is Bob Hawke.
I’ve always believed that PM Howard’s references re “waiting with baseball bats” refers to this series of cartoons.
Printed in an annual booklet I still have, with other cartoons (inc Joh as a jackbooted dictator with crossed bananas on his armband) it is THE iconic series on the fatal day (3 Feb) Fraser called the 1983 election.
PS I think it’s in storage, or in one of the downstairs wardrobes. If I can find it, I’ll see what Offspring can do with scanning and putting it up so I can post a URL to it. Some PBers might recall it. It’s glorious!
by OzPol Tragic on May 10, 2012 at 8:12 am
Stuff over at Zero Hedge says the EU is going to withold at least part of the support funds due to be paid the a couple of days.
Things coming home to roost all around.
by dave on May 10, 2012 at 8:13 am
I don’t think Fran warms to Prissy.
by BK on May 10, 2012 at 8:13 am
Fran is trying, but she’s still letting him get away with too much, such as letting him change the subject from the baby bonus early.
by triton on May 10, 2012 at 8:13 am
(Ozymandias Posted Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 7:34 am | Permalink
Adam Spencer shows that it is possible to elicit pertinent answers from JG without angling for a “gotcha” and without continuous interruptions. Civility in journalism is not (quite) dead.)
Not being a north islander ,” would adam spencer have a bigger audience than ulman having looked at ulmans audience i would think so, what woud be the listening numbers
Its a shame the audience numbers ard nit now being posted
by my say on May 10, 2012 at 8:14 am
victoria:
The spats between the rightwing factions in NSW are legendary. Everyone goes on about the ‘NSW right’ when it comes to Labor, but the NSW right of the LIberals is just as bad, if not worse – having given jobs to MPs such as David Clarke, Alex Hawke, Ross Cameron (whom Abbott is reportedly backing for pre-selection in Parramatta), and Peter Phelps. All legends in their own lunchtime, and that’s about it.
Incidentally, if you want to see just how truly odious these people can be, check out Peter Phelps’ twitter stream. He’s a state upper house Lib in NSW, but to me he comes across as the male equivalent of Sophie.
by confessions on May 10, 2012 at 8:14 am
Look, I might be cynical but we get this ‘not to be taken seriously’ tweet from Rupert dissing the Opposition, though we are later told that it wasn’t about the Australian opposition, and hey presto, the press gallery are sticking it to the coalition the following week?
by Space Kidette on May 10, 2012 at 8:14 am
Ask him about Ashby, Fran! Have a bit of real guts.
by Ozymandias on May 10, 2012 at 8:15 am
BK,
I have to hand it to Fran she has forensically picked Pyne’s bullshit to pieces.
by Space Kidette on May 10, 2012 at 8:15 am
SK:
Which Rupe tweet was that? I missed it.
by confessions on May 10, 2012 at 8:16 am
my say
Spencer has been winning the timeslot for talk radio several times. It ebbs and flows between him and 2GB
by guytaur on May 10, 2012 at 8:17 am