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-
just waiting for mnc bludgers to arrive – abbott, pyne, bishop(s), etc etc prepare for ear burn!
by Lyne Lady on May 11, 2012 at 11:40 am
Bob Katter was on Capital Hill the day he made his ‘Dying Australian Race’ speech. When asked how he would vote re Thomson by Lyndall Curtis he explained clearly and cogently the history of why he would never go down the path of parliament becoming the Judge and Jury of fellow parliamentarians, relating the story of his own experience of vilification at the hands of the Liberals in Queensland, when he was a Minister in Joh’s government. He made the interesting comment that the man behind it all is now Campbell Newman’s Attorney General.
by C@tmomma on May 11, 2012 at 11:40 am
bg@7198
You implication?
by victoria on May 11, 2012 at 11:41 am
bg
lol. Good one
by guytaur on May 11, 2012 at 11:41 am
LL
Do enjoy!
by victoria on May 11, 2012 at 11:42 am
I happened to be driving late yesterday and listened to a segment of Waleed Aly on the topic of the unemployment figures announced yesterday.
Walleed’s guest was Professor Bill Mitchell, Director of the Centre of Full Employment and Equity at the University of Newcastle was the guest and had some most interesting comments. You can listen here: http://tinyurl.com/d57854s
More about Professor Mitchell here http://e1.newcastle.edu.au/coffee/bios.cfm?staff_number=1 with lots of great stuff on issues of employment and unemployment.
This is a serious issue that receives less attention than it deserves. Why?
I posted some policy prescriptions yesterday @ 5360 but didn’t get much response.
How can we tolerate companies bringing in cheap, exploited, temporary workers from overseas while Australians remain unemployed? This includes many highly skilled and experienced workers as well as those disadvantaged by lack of education and skills.
How can we tolerate companies bleating about a bogus ‘skills shortage’ while they are not providing adequate training and Boofhead Baillieu has just cut back TAFE funding?
This should be an issue the ALP takes up and campaigns on at the next election with comprehensive programs to do something about it. See my 5360 for a start.
by bemused on May 11, 2012 at 11:44 am
C@tmomma
For some reason Qld politics reminds me of the Mafia.
by victoria on May 11, 2012 at 11:44 am
These ALP branch meetings must be hotbeds of political analysis, policy development and sage advice for Labor politicians. And of course said politicians take notice and act accordingly. And party platforms are amended to reflect the views of the majority of party members (eg. same sex marriage).
Faithful members such as Zoomster require that all party members precisely follow the party line in public so that no perception of independent thought or dissent can be created. That’s obviously why the ALP is doing so well at State and Federal levels.
No, I’m not a party member and would never be likely to join if the thought police attitudes expressed here are any indication of the blind loyalty necessary for party membership.
I certainly don’t agree with bemused’s position that Labor would be better off dumping Gillard and restoring Rudd. However constructive criticism of Labor is a more valuable resource for Labor than blind faith and unquestioning loyalty – that path leads to an ever diminishing group of Franks.
by It’s Time on May 11, 2012 at 11:45 am
bemused
I am with you on this issue. My engineer friend who was recently retrenched from Qantas, says business is itching for this to occur in most sectors of the economy. Of course the goal is to drive down wages and conditions asap. He made the pertinent point that people will realise when it is too late. Take the US for example. People need to work three jobs to make a living wage in most sectors now
by victoria on May 11, 2012 at 11:47 am
by victoria on May 11, 2012 at 11:48 am
Has been a good week for the govt all up.
A good budget, Albo returning fire on the Thomson affair, a typically vacuous response from Abbott and now some good old fashioned liberal infighting.
Good stuff.
Big issue for labor though are the “boat people”. They need to have some sort of solution in place for the next election. It’s not an issue for me but out there in bogan land and in the News corpse tabloids, it is.
Bowen sadly seems to have given up on the issue.
by Henry on May 11, 2012 at 11:48 am
Geez, these North Shore lines have gone down a treat. Gets a run everytime she mentions it. Gives her a narrative for the election. Puts the Abbott budget costings into that broader story line. “What is Tony Abbott going to take from your family to give to the rich?”
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/pm-questions-abbotts-family-commitment-20120511-1ygu1.html
by bluegreen on May 11, 2012 at 11:49 am
Are Sophie Black and Bernard Keane leaving Crikey?
by Henry on May 11, 2012 at 11:50 am
bg
I remain sceptical about this class warfare thing, but you may be right on this
by victoria on May 11, 2012 at 11:50 am
Costello wanted back in, or was at least pining for it. Kroger poured a bucket of cold water over it to make sure it could never ever happen.
by bluegreen on May 11, 2012 at 11:51 am
You gotta laugh
by victoria on May 11, 2012 at 11:51 am
So with the low ratings of the Budget reply and now Kroger dominating Abbott is eclipsed.
This means more has gotten out about the budget from labor and the reply has been muffled.
This is good for labor. A good week indeed. Building blocks planted that will be in the back of people’s mind come election time. Just as the scandals are at front of mind now.
Plus now Abbott painting Gillard as fighting for battlers.
by guytaur on May 11, 2012 at 11:51 am
Perhaps you can also tell that from how hard the tabloid media is running to try and block them out. In addition to the 7 story I mentioned last night there’s a DT story today about how JG just doesn’t understand the real world people of the North Shore, with gratuitous references to mothers.
by rishane on May 11, 2012 at 11:51 am
bg
Thanks. Wasn’t sure from which perspective you made that comment. Seems so. Although Kroger really went in hard and trashed Costello
by victoria on May 11, 2012 at 11:52 am
Election costing is Abbott’s biggest weakness. How else can the ALP make it the main issue for the election.
Its is dog-whistling extraordinaire, and gets the ‘right’ screaming and thus giving it more oxygen.
Abbott’s class warfare line was instinct, not cool measured strategy. I guarantee you that in any focus group no-one could explain even what class warfare meant.
by bluegreen on May 11, 2012 at 11:53 am
Translated into current Coalition speech. “We have a dispositiion to having an aspirational policy when the time is right.”
by poroti on May 11, 2012 at 11:54 am
bg
I do see what you mean. I will continue to observe how this plays out.
by victoria on May 11, 2012 at 11:55 am
I agree that leadership change for the ALP is a really bad idea, but offering the loss of the crossbenchers as the reason is just silly. Windsor, Oakshott and the Greens are going to cut off their noses to spite their faces? I don’t think they are that stupid. They know that Abbott will kill off any benefits for their electorates which they have achieved with their support for a Labor government. Why kill off such progress as the NBN a year early?
If Labor elected a new leader s/he would just reaffirm to the indies that the conditions of the agreements for support will still apply and, if comfort is required, sign a replacement agreement with the new names inserted.
by It’s Time on May 11, 2012 at 11:55 am
Rishane
and the DT is read where? Central Coast and Western Sydney. Just where the electoral battleground is. Do you think they give a toss about the North Shore?
by bluegreen on May 11, 2012 at 11:55 am
Thanks for the links, here’s Kroger on Costello if you missed it
http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2012/05/11/3500510.htm?site=melbourne
by lefty e on May 11, 2012 at 11:56 am
Actually News Limited has a problem with the class warfare thing. Politically it means Abbott loses IMO. However when it comes to Foxtel and sports coverage and making money its great. The passion of fans of Manly and Tiger/Wests rekindled.
by guytaur on May 11, 2012 at 11:57 am
by guytaur on May 11, 2012 at 11:57 am
It’s Time
No, it’s just that there’s so many good things about the government to talk about, and so many bad things about the Opposition, that it seems a bit pointless to bang on about leadership changes.
by zoomster on May 11, 2012 at 11:57 am
Stephen Spencer @sspencer_63
by ShiftyPhil on May 11, 2012 at 11:58 am
bluegreen
Bucket of water ? More like a can of the finest night soil.
by poroti on May 11, 2012 at 11:58 am
Its Time/7222
You do not understand the Greens with that thinking. I suspect the same holds true for Windsor and Oakshott and Katter.
Its called integrity. They will not hold onto power just for the sake of holding power.
Look to history of Greens in Tasmania.
by guytaur on May 11, 2012 at 12:00 pm
‘Class Warfare” hasn’t been in wide use since 1965.
Check how often is has been written in books according to this google database
http://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=class+warfare&year_start=1900&year_end=2008&corpus=0&smoothing=1
by bluegreen on May 11, 2012 at 12:00 pm
And today was meant to be the day when everyone muscled Oakshot to roll over on his support for the government. Amateur hour by the libs this week.
by bluegreen on May 11, 2012 at 12:02 pm
Ha!
When Minchin said that about Climate Change, it only took a month to change leaders.
by bluegreen on May 11, 2012 at 12:03 pm
tee hee.
And the PPL levy will make Australia’s company tax rate one of the highest in the OECD!
by bluegreen on May 11, 2012 at 12:05 pm
It’s Time @ 7207
Excellent post.
Particularly agree with this:
I think you are a bit hard on zoomster but your general point is spot on.
Curiously, thee seems to be far more tolerance on this sight for parliamentarians who deviate in their thoughts.
A bit hard on me there, but if JG is not showing considerable improvement by the end of year, I predict caucus will swallow their pride and act to install a proven campaigner. And if a few other ministers are true to their word and quit the ministry than there is no dearth of talent to fill their places.
by bemused on May 11, 2012 at 12:06 pm
To paraphrase JFK: Ask not what the BISONs can do for you, ask what you do for the BISONs – http://www.thefinnigans.blogspot.com.au/ #auspol
by The Finnigans on May 11, 2012 at 12:06 pm
ShiftyPhil@7228,
I thought Joe said it was all “Happy Families in the Liberal Party”?
by C@tmomma on May 11, 2012 at 12:07 pm
The average OECD company tax rate is 26.6%. Under Abbott the effect tax rate for Australia will be 31.5%.
One of the top 5-6 least competitive economies in the world!
by bluegreen on May 11, 2012 at 12:08 pm
Swan and Shorten should address every business chamber in the country with that Stat.
by bluegreen on May 11, 2012 at 12:08 pm
victoria @ 7208
Thanks vic.
IMHO it is a huge sleeping issue. Read my earlier post if you haven’t already and do check out the links to Prof Mitchell.
Played right, this is potentially an election winner. And it is the right way to go.
by bemused on May 11, 2012 at 12:08 pm
Midday News ABC reporting Romney in trouble again. Allegations that in college he was a gay “basher”
by guytaur on May 11, 2012 at 12:10 pm
Minchin is also tipping a bucket on Abbott today. This is bigger than Kroger. Is this some sort of revenge.
by bluegreen on May 11, 2012 at 12:10 pm
The Finnigans
Another BISONic number.
World’s top 10 higher education systems according to Universitas 21
May 11, 2012
OVERALL
1 US
2 Sweden
3 Canada
4 Finland
5 Denmark
6 Switzerland
7 Norway
8 Australia
9 Netherlands
10 UK
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/university-rankings/worlds-top-10-higher-education-systems/story-fna15id1-1226352095417
by poroti on May 11, 2012 at 12:14 pm
Interesting move by Government in the AFR
Government seeks HSU documents
PUBLISHED: 0 hour 9 MINUTES AGO | UPDATE: 0 hour 0 MINUTES AGO
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The Gillard government is seeking access to documents used to prepare a report that queried more than $17 million in dealings by the Health Services Union’s troubled East branch.
by guytaur on May 11, 2012 at 12:15 pm
Paul Keating on Chris Uhlmann’s interview with Julia Gillard this week. Enjoy!
http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/4004234.html
by spur212 on May 11, 2012 at 12:15 pm
Yes, the fightback begins
by The Finnigans on May 11, 2012 at 12:16 pm
yes, like 26 interruptions RT @zombiemao @ABCthedrum My criticism of Chris Uhlmann is not that of bias, but of competence, says Paul Keating
by The Finnigans on May 11, 2012 at 12:16 pm
bemused@7240
Agreed. It is an area, I am deeply concerned about. The middle class will be decimated if this were to occur
by victoria on May 11, 2012 at 12:16 pm
Actually, I can’t see Tony Abbot taking a 31.5% Corporate tax take to the next election. Making Australian business the highest taxed in the world. It was only possible because the rate was going to be lowered.
This is the biggest gift possible to the ALP.
by bluegreen on May 11, 2012 at 12:16 pm