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-
Vic i know of people no one would employ, even if there where more jobs
Yes agree
by my say on May 11, 2012 at 12:46 pm
If you are really concerned, why do you continually add to that toxic perception?
As Finns remarked, “cry me a river…..”
by janice2 on May 11, 2012 at 12:46 pm
So when’s Cossie coming back?
They could have borrowed him to at least show Abbott how to give a budget reply!
What about Abbott, that was his third budget reply – its like he has taken three different women now on a date, after the date the women take Abbott to a hotel.
But the
STILL remains a virgin 
by Centre on May 11, 2012 at 12:46 pm
The finns@7289
Now we are cooking with gas!
by victoria on May 11, 2012 at 12:47 pm
No, Joe is the secret Don Corleone of the lib fib mob and their planning a break fluid leak for the Tip Volvo.
by joe2 on May 11, 2012 at 12:49 pm
This really does seem to confuse cause and effect. The media is not not bagging the PM because party members are bagging her; they have their own agendas in doing so. This colours the perception of the sheeple and the party members and supporters then start asking themselves questions about the viability of the PM.
by It’s Time on May 11, 2012 at 12:50 pm
Thanks for confirming the Katter story, C@tmomma. But, as the new AG is Jarrod Pieter Bleijie, born 25 January 1982, he can’t be responsible (when I moved to Higher Ed in 86, I had to move from QTU to the Higher Ed union).
Only 10 Libs were elected in 1986, including Santo Santoro. The one nearest Katter was the MLA for Mt Isa. In the Borbidge Ministry, the AG was Liberal Denver Beanland, who lost his seat in 2001.
I vividly recall hearing it, probably because I was standing at the coffee table at the back of the QTU conference room with group of arguers (inc the Stalinist & a LW feminist in a Tshirt with a very feminist slogan on the front), 5 of whom (+ a few elsewhere) would, in the next couple of years, be elected to state & federal parliament, almost all for the ALP.
It stank of the very bitter Liberal Party (3 years after the Split & defection of Lane & ?Austen to Nats, so Joh could rule in his own right); but, with Joh’s Special Branch goons in the car across the road, and Nat scandal was lapped up, and it went through Trades Hall like a bushfire.
My battery is about to run out. Offspring is off buying replacement for cactus power cord
by OzPol Tragic on May 11, 2012 at 12:50 pm
Guytaur
There has been a few times when hodgeman has pushed the greens buttons
But it did not work. I do have a quite admiration for nick,He is also a very good educatio n minister
by my say on May 11, 2012 at 12:50 pm
The ALP really need to hammer this company tax line. Will cause no end of divisiveness in Libs and business community.
by bluegreen on May 11, 2012 at 12:50 pm
I agree heartily with bluegreen on this one. Playing nice with the filth just makes you look weak. The ALP need to go for dividing the nation roughly down the middle and taking the (slightly) biggest half.
It would be very easy for them to say we didn’t start class war. We didn’t introduce Workchoices to attack the pay and conditions of working people, but if the billionaires and their puppets want class war, then we’re happy to oblige.
Then they just need to name check every program and payment they’ve introduced or modified and the percentage of the population that benefits. Each one will be shown to benefit a massive majority. eg 60% of all families with school aged children will receive a payment from the Schoolkids Bonus, etc.
Add that to constantly hammering the low inflation, low interest rates, and low unemployment and make people thinking of voting
do the maths. Enough will get the right answer and work out they’d be the turkey’s voting for Christmas.
Whilst ever Abbott can get away with talking about generalities he’ll win. The ALP have to make it personal. This (insert dollar figure) is how much per year your family will be worse off by if Tony Abbott becomes Prime Minister. Then contrast that with how much the ‘rich’ will gain from Abbott. “Do you think it’s fair that your family will lose $x so that Tony Abbott can give (insert closely targeted proxy for the ‘rich’) several multiples of $x?”
There is of course risk with the strategy. The reactionaries always run the class war crap because they know plenty of people can be gulled to vote against their own interests because whilst they might not be rich and have next to no chance of ever being rich they wish they were and still hold out hope it might happen one day. That’s why you have to run both sides of the equation, not just what you’re going to lose, but what the ‘rich’ are getting from your sacrifice.
It might be low politics, but we can have no clearer demonstration that low politics is also effective politics than Tony Abbott. The actual king hits above need to come much later, close enough to the election to prevent them being knocked over. For the next 12 months or so is just the ground work. Keep forcing Abbott to come to the defence of throwing money at rich people and make sure it sinks in whose interest he’s really all about governing for. If Abbott (and News Ltd) is constantly talking about class war then that will just make it crystal clear whose side in the war he’s on.
by ratsak on May 11, 2012 at 12:51 pm
zoomster @ 7298
Yes, why are you keeping it going?
I back the leader but despair at how she is perceived by the electorate. There are 2 ways out of this and I am open to both.
Who is bashing JG?
Last night, after I had left, I was verballed by confessions for attacking JGs voice, hair, hands etc. I can’t recall ever mentioning any of them.
The truth is that mere adulation of Julia will not win an election. She has a big job on her hands and finally, at last seems to be showing signs of getting on top of it. Analysis of her problems in cutting through are not bagging her personally. A lot of it is about tactics.
by bemused on May 11, 2012 at 12:52 pm
It’s interesting that Kroger in his interview with Faine this morning was so effusive about Turbull being collaborative with the States. His highest praise for Abbott was that he ‘s a Rhodes Scholar in economics which everyone knows is “Liberal speak” for him being a communist.
by Greensborough Growler on May 11, 2012 at 12:52 pm
What I am saying is that it adds to the effect and does nothing to alter to it.
It feeds the perception.
by zoomster on May 11, 2012 at 12:54 pm
GG
Wasn’t it Minchin who got the numbers for Abbott to defeat Turnbull in the leadership ballot?
by victoria on May 11, 2012 at 12:54 pm
Abbott Calls for leadership change in the labor party.
Look at who is doing what he asks on this blog.
by guytaur on May 11, 2012 at 12:54 pm
what is good at the moment is Abbott keeps on giving.
Oppose Education refund, looking at taking payments away, blames labor for the tax cuts and, I must agree, the big one, he goes one slogan too far with “class warfare. ”
Interesting times.
by Doyley on May 11, 2012 at 12:55 pm
poroti @ 7220:
Apparently Julia is “disinclined to acquiesce” to Abbott’s request to stand aside.
by Jaeger on May 11, 2012 at 12:55 pm
The new Qld AG is 30?
by Burgey on May 11, 2012 at 12:55 pm
Must add again,
No wonder labor did not want to go too far today with the Albo attack yesterday.
by Doyley on May 11, 2012 at 12:55 pm
And, dear bemused, please point to one post, ever, where I have displayed adulation for the PM.
by zoomster on May 11, 2012 at 12:56 pm
by victoria on May 11, 2012 at 12:56 pm
Michael Kroger is making Sloppy Joe an offer he cant refuse http://resources1.news.com.au/images/2012/05/11/1226352/953993-hockey-kroger.jpg – Free buckets of KFC for 3 years #auspol
by The Finnigans on May 11, 2012 at 12:56 pm
The gap between the OECD average and Australia’s company tax rate will widen to 5% difference under Abbott.
It is a serious competitive economy issue.
by bluegreen on May 11, 2012 at 12:57 pm
The great thing for Gillard is she mentioned Costello’s opinion of Abbott on the economy in Question Time this week. If she’s asked about it, she can say “Why do you think I mentioned it in Question Time”
by spur212 on May 11, 2012 at 12:58 pm
The Henry Review said that for Australia to remain competitive it should find ways to reduce the tax rate to 25%, not put it up to 31.5%
by bluegreen on May 11, 2012 at 12:59 pm
zoomster @ 7319
I didn’t have you in mind.
by bemused on May 11, 2012 at 12:59 pm
And up pops bemmused.
by fredn on May 11, 2012 at 1:00 pm
Kroger has displace attack article on Gillard as top story on the Terror.
Then this.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/breaking-news/pm-questions-tony-abbotts-family-commitment/story-e6freuyi-1226352919130
by guytaur on May 11, 2012 at 1:00 pm
A nice map of North Shore incomes someone put up.
http://dataliser.com/2012/05/06/map-experiment-average-income-nsw-and-act-2010/
by bluegreen on May 11, 2012 at 1:00 pm
This is interesting, though I disagree with the last line (because you apparently can’t write anything positive about Gillard without reminding us about TEH POLLS, if you want to get published) : http://www.nationaltimes.com.au/opinion/politics/in-labors-death-throes-gillard-might-remake-our-politics-20120510-1yfhp.html
by rishane on May 11, 2012 at 1:01 pm
vic,
Minchin criticised the Libs coming up bare handed when they failed to deliver the cuts and the Govt outsmarted them on re distributing the money.
Minchin also does not like the PPL schem that Abbott is proclaiming.
His Opposition to Turnbull was over the ETS. That battle is lost. So, I doubt he has any lasting animosity towards Turnbull.
by Greensborough Growler on May 11, 2012 at 1:01 pm
True, a resignation and its PM Tony.
by bluegreen on May 11, 2012 at 1:01 pm
There is no way in the world Abbott will increase the coy tax rate.
It’s a con, to fund a con. Neither will happen. As we all CLEARLY saw with Abbott’s budget’s reply, Abbott has no policies, no costings, and absolutely NO idea.
Honestly, Abbott can’t lead his party to the next election, let alone win it, it would be a FARCE!
by Centre on May 11, 2012 at 1:02 pm
bemused
Where on earth has the right to hold a different opinion gone?
I have said this before and I will say it again we did not join a fan club we joined a political party and political parties debate issues. The majority opinion prevails but matters of interest can and are raised again for further debate.
People are not clones and everyone is entitled to hold a point of view. Apart from on here apparently.
Confessions and kezza while I am here thanks for the free character assessment of me and others last night. I will put my record of contribution to the ALP up against yours any day.
by MTBW on May 11, 2012 at 1:02 pm
Well, why refer to ‘mere adulation’ in a post addressed to me, then?
by zoomster on May 11, 2012 at 1:03 pm
News 24 just showed the corridor finger pointing shot.
by guytaur on May 11, 2012 at 1:03 pm
Why today for Kroger and why Costello? Why Minchin giving a slap to Abbott re opposing the tax cut in public?
Is this a individual personality/ breakup thing or a internal party dynamic battle ? Where does Kroger position himself internally, with or against the Robb/ Minchin club ?
I have no idea but it has to be more than Kroger shitty about the treatment of his ex.
So many questions, so little time !
Whatever, it really is interesting it is happening now.
by Doyley on May 11, 2012 at 1:03 pm
Doyley
My take on the govt strategy is that they have given the Liberals plenty of rope on Thomson and Slipper. The Liberals took all the rope possible and now the govt will respond. No wonder Minchin has entered the fray. He is worried shitless
by victoria on May 11, 2012 at 1:03 pm
fredn @ 7326
Yep, wanting to talk about issues such as unemployment.
But actually I have been here since about 8:30am.
by bemused on May 11, 2012 at 1:04 pm
bg
Are you suggesting Thomson is going to announce his retirement with Oakes?
by victoria on May 11, 2012 at 1:05 pm
I am getting confident about the next election, I think Julia can win it.
I don’t expect the polls to move at all until people “see the money” and that Abbott can only possibly take that money away.
I now think I would prefer to face Abbott than Turnbull.
by Centre on May 11, 2012 at 1:07 pm
GG
Minchin has stuck his beak in, because he is always trying to control the party. I reckon he is saying, Houston we have a problem.
by victoria on May 11, 2012 at 1:07 pm
victoria,
good point.
Perhaps they have taken their eyes off the real issues and labor has tiptoed into the hen house, so to speak.
by Doyley on May 11, 2012 at 1:07 pm
MTBW @ 7333
Easy enough – they don’t have any.
by bemused on May 11, 2012 at 1:07 pm
Could do. I don’t know. It is a possibility.
by bluegreen on May 11, 2012 at 1:08 pm
I doubt very much Mr Thomson will announce his resignation to morrow.
As others have noted he really does need the money.
As well, I really think he has a lot to tell.
by Doyley on May 11, 2012 at 1:08 pm
So? I’m not advocating leadership change. I am only saying that IMHO saying the indies will tear up the agreement and precipitate an early election is not a credible reason for arguing against a leadership change.
I don’t follow your logic. How do they get their policies implemented if the party which is helping to implement those policies (Labor) will be replaced at an election by the party which would not bother because they won’t need the indies’ votes?
Would those be the 2 parties who are in a power sharing in Tasmania at the moment? Wouldn’t that be more relevant than events of 20 years ago involving different personel and in a different jurisdiction?
by It’s Time on May 11, 2012 at 1:08 pm
bg
Thomson has a story to tell. A big one
by victoria on May 11, 2012 at 1:09 pm
zoomster @ 7334
It seems to be an attitude of some here and you seem to approve of such nonsense although you yourself are more nuanced.
by bemused on May 11, 2012 at 1:09 pm
Was it good?
by bluegreen on May 11, 2012 at 1:09 pm