Polling
Tony Abbott’s foray into progressive social policy has backfired, with his conservative base rejecting has plan to tax big business to pay for improved parental leave.
In the first serious signs that the Mad Monk’s honeymoon as leader is over, this week’s Essential Report finds the Liberal leader has cashed in his credentials as an economic conservative for no real gain, with little support for this family plan.
After watching the polls narrow to within striking distance over the summer, the Coalition heartland must now be wondering whether Mark Latham has returned to politics in a different set of Speedos.
Continue reading "Parental leave: the moment Abbott jumped the shark" »
The debate around the Sri Lanka asylum seekers is beginning to spiral into Tampa territory with the Australian public ready to support tough action over compassion and prepared to believe the boats are harbouring terrorists.
For the PM it is a diabolical political dilemma, with this week’s Essential Report showing his attempts to play tough cop are failing to translate into public approval for his handling of the issue.
Given the bind, I reckon his only option is to follow the lead of his predecessor John Howard – not in sending in the troops, but by shifting debate through invoking the nation’s obsession with sport.
Continue reading "Most Australians want a tougher stand on boatpeople" »
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Baby Shamu says:
So you Do Gooders don’t care if these people could be criminals or terrorists? But Do Gooders are pains themselves shame we cant get rid of them too. Read more »
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H says:
Peter & David. Do not take to heart commentors on your blogs as representative of your readership. You are more likely to draw on the loonies and the time to comment - most people just read, agree or disagree and move on without commenting. Many (not all) commentators will do… Read more »
It’s a political mystery worthy of Dan Brown. Why is it so difficult to find anyone who actually likes our most popular Prime Minister since Bob Hawke?
The PM is rightly grinning from ear to ear at the moment, on the back of his triumphant turn at the UN and the stream of figures showing the national economy has somehow managed to avoid falling into recession during the global downturn.
His job approval ratings are stratospheric. Nielsen polls regularly find his approval ratings at 70 per cent or higher, and this morning’s Newspoll finds around two-thirds of Australians say he’s their preferred Prime Minister.
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Jacquie Butterfield says:
To George 08:59am 06/10/09: Yep. Read more »
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FTR says:
Rudd and co are popular because they are media darlings. Where is Wrong for example? After months and months of self righteous lecturing about the ETS? Where is she? Why haven’t the media ripped into Wrong and Krudd for their total shambolic spending spree on all things carbon? Why not… Read more »
The Punch’s unscientific Punters Poll is broadly in line with most of the “scientific” research – the PM is broadly popular and people think he’s the smartest kid in the class.
That’s probably what happens when you beat the GFC, reorganise global diplomatic structures and can explain all it in Mandarin.
While no politician admits to reading polls, Kevin Rudd would be quietly satisfied with these findings – 58 per cent saying he has delivered on expectations, with strong support for his economic management.
Continue reading "Rudd needs to remind us why we elected him" »
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Aikon says:
I last voted Labor when Keating was elected. I though both he and Hawke were right for the country at that time. But never again. After witnessing the charade Rudd and his gang put before the Australian people during the last election campaign, with the seemingly full support of the… Read more »
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Keith says:
@ Michael, I voted Labor similarly, but in particular, the triumvirate of Howard, Ruddock and and Downer, and the eventual fall guy Reith, just to underline the politics of fear. Read more »
Old people never die – in fact they are feeling good and just want to keep voting conservative way into their second century.
Like the kids from Fame, Coalition voters want to live forever, long after they can remember their own name, laying down a unique challenge to policy makers on the Left.
These are the alarming findings from the Punch’s inaugural Death Survey, where we link attitudes to death with voting behaviour in an effort to drag the national political debate down to a new low.
Continue reading "Die Hard: How grey Australia keeps the Libs competitive" »
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jed says:
@Steven to propagate that myth you must work for the libs. libs and labor are both for big government - if you don’t work for them, i’m alarmed to see you’re so easily led. your description of the libs more aptly fits the LDP, i suggest you check them out Read more »
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acker says:
@ regina….Joe has go a nice smile, when it’s not smeared with some misdirected pie & sauce…...no fly’s on sloppy joe (when he’s in the shower of course Read more »
In the absence of a genuine contest in Canberra, serious political junkies are wondering what sort of team could give the Rudd Government a run for their money.
Today, we give readers a chance to put their own Cabinet in the House, with the launch of the Punch’s Federal Cabinet Fantasy League.
It’s simple. Assemble a Cabinet from Ministers who have taken the oath over the past 40 years, ensure your team comes under the $2 million super cap and get ready to Rumble the Ruddster.
Continue reading "Cabinet fantasy league: create your own ministry" »
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Bruno says:
Prime Minister: Peter Costello Deputy Prime Minister: Barnaby Joyce Treasurer: Steven Ciobo Foreign Affairs: Marise Payne Health: Tony Abbott Finance: Malcolm Turnbull Environment: Greg Hunt Education: Scott Morrison Defence: Stuart Robert Indigenous Affairs: Mal Brough Industrial Relations: Joe Hockey Attorney General: Julie Bishop Resources: Susan Ley Agriculture: Warren Truss Sport:… Read more »
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marcjohn says:
Prime Minister: Peter Costello Deputy Prime Minister: Barnaby Joyce Treasurer: Steven Ciobo Foreign Affairs: Marise Payne Health: Tony Abbott Finance: Malcolm Turnbull Environment: Greg Hunt Education: Scott Morrison Defence: Stuart Robert Indigenous Affairs: Mal Brough Industrial Relations: Joe Hockey Attorney General: Julie Bishop Resources: Susan Ley Wild Card: Tom Switzer Read more »
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Don't bring your children and other "rules" of supermarket shopping. Got a gripe or two of your own? Add to my list: http://bit.ly/dBWydm
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