Newspoll: 57-43

UPDATE: The Australian reports no change on two-party from last fortnight, and only a moderate shift in preferred prime minister from 70-12 to 66-17. Full press release from Mumble here, and further polling on petrol price issues here.

Peter Brent at Mumble says he hopes to be first to air with tonight’s eagerly awaited Newspoll result. We have also had a poll today from newcomers Essential Research (who a fortnight ago produced encouraging post-budget intelligence for the government), which shows Labor’s two-party lead down from 61-39 to 56-44. If I heard correctly from SBS, it also showed the Prime Minister’s approval rating down from 67 per cent to 60 per cent. Interestingly, 50 per cent of respondents said Peter Costello and Alexander Downer should retire.

Other news: Former Victorian Police Minister Andre Haermeyer has announced he is quitting politics, initiating a by-election in his rock-solid Labor seat of Kororoit.

Author: William Bowe

William Bowe is a Perth-based election analyst and occasional teacher of political science. His blog, The Poll Bludger, has existed in one form or another since 2004, and is one of the most heavily trafficked websites on Australian politics.

541 comments on “Newspoll: 57-43”

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  1. 345
    onimod Says:
    I’m not sure what Nelson’s skill really is. He left being a doctor,…

    I know a (Labor voting) doctor who worked with him and she said he was actually a good clinician, with an excellent bedside manner.

  2. Onimod:

    I’m really at a loss to know what his colleagues saw or expected from [Nelson].

    I’m thinking … human shield to take the flak from the election loss, while the rabble decide which deckchair occupant to shuffle into his place.

    Maybe a buffer against the ascendancy of that bleeding heart Turnbull?

    But really, he is a nobody, it seems. Doctor Who?? Asking members of the population if they’d ever heard of this guy, I reckon the recognsisablilty factor would be very low.

    Maybe that accounts for some of his abysmal low PPM ratings, that people for large part have hardly heard of this guy who is up there as “alternative” PM.

  4. 353 onimod

    Aren’t most pollies a touch megalomaniacal? Almost a prerequisite for the job I would have thought.

    But seriously, it’s a good question why he went into politics. Some folk just have the lust for more power I guess, or (more generously) they genuinely think that is where they could make the most difference.

    My doctor friend said she would still be happy to work with him anytime, his politics notwithstanding.

  5. I would have thought that Nelson’s strength as a doctor would be the sympathy he could switch on in a flash when he had to tell family members their loved one had suddenly died. He really is a miserable looking individual.

  6. thanks for the thoughts guys, I’m sorry i blew up but when TT came up i’m afraid i exploded, i shouldnt have put my probs onto you, if anyone wants to know some hair curlers about the media believe me i can tell you some humdingers, ive been dealing with them for a long, long, time.
    we became very close to the labor pollies and were supported by Chris Summner our att general and Lyn arnold at the time and that set my already labor allegiance into concrete, the libs treated us like dirt-they just wanted us to go away and hide when we were trying to start up V.O.Cs, Rann has kept his promise to keep Von Einam locked up for life and that gives me a great deal of satisfaction, we now have a commissioner for victims rights, it shows that we ordinary folk can make a difference if it’s important enough to us,i wont waste any more of Williams bandwidth with my probs –i thank you all again.

  7. Lol, opposition minister for education said in QT “We know you(Julia) cooked the hotdog”

    FFS, it was a dagwood dog… and is this the best the Libs have?

  9. 355
    Steve K Says:
    I would have thought that Nelson’s strength as a doctor would be the sympathy he could switch on in a flash when he had to tell family members their loved one had suddenly died.

    Being a good medico is a bit more complicated and involved than that.

  14. Andrew Robb has caught the mock indignation disease, presumably from Nelson.
    Apparently the world is going to end in Japan because they didn’t get a visit before China.
    Playground diplomacy from Robb & co.
    He’s had a couple of months to prepare for this speech and that’s all he’s got?
    He’s woeful.
    The Liberal Party of Australia – party for hire. You name the issue, we’ll name the price.

  16. This Japan crap is because Rudd is going there next week and the Libs are worried as they know Kev will be well received when he gets there

  17. What I thought ruawake, Stephen is out of the country and you rehash the China shit.

    Loved that Brendan hadn’t told Robb they weren’t in favor of quadrilatic talks.

  18. #318

    fair suck of the sav, Fagin.

    It is true that the Chiko Roll first appeared at the Wagga Wagga Show (in 1951), but it must be acknowledged that it was invented in Bendigo (by Francis McEnroe).

    The Dagwood Dog, on the other hand, is an abomination, a severely-battered sav on a stick. Fairy floss has more nutrition.

    It’s good to see our PM eating a party pie (or whatever it was), rather than adhering to a Pritikin diet or jogging for the cameras every bloody morning.

  20. Just me 359

    One doctor I know said that most medicine involved treating the symptoms long enough for the patient to heal themselves. I suspect managing economies is a bit the same, but economic decision makers have more trouble admitting that truth 🙂

  21. 8 women and hour die from unsafe abortions – yet Boswell and Brenda oppose aid being used for safe abortions.

    Brian Harradine’s legacy lingers on. 🙁

  23. Socrates 370

    A lot of medicine is like that, though the bits that aren’t tend to be fairly critical.

    Bit like economies too. 😉

  25. Ross Gittins today has a piece marking his 30 years as Economics Editor for the Sydney Morning Herald.

    http://business.smh.com.au/youve-come-a-long-way-baby-20080603-2lei.html?page=1

    He does a thumbnail of the economy’s major influences over the last 30 years. Talks about the Fraser/Howard recession of the early 1980s. Mentions Treasurer Howard’s stagflation – a new phenomenon at that time. Goes on to discuss the Hawke/Keating economic reforms that slayed the inflation dragon and set the economy up for future growth and stability. Then goes on to talk about the rise of Asia, especially China, and the incalculable effect on the Australian economy.

    But get this: not one word about Howard and Costello in office. In fact the name of Costello, Australia’s longest-serving Treasurer, is not mentioned once.

    After years of hearing about the superlative economic credentials of the former government, interesting there is not a single word in the article about the strong record they constantly blandished us with.

  27. 375 thanks Rx
    It’s a good read until he mentions living standards and measures them in commodities. Given the last line he could perhaps have prefaced the last section with ‘according to economic measures…’, rather than just tail off with it.
    Makes you wonder how much social wealth we’ve had to trade away for those measures of economic success?

    On the Costello issue – now that we’ve globalised our economy it stands to reason that out domestic Treasurer has less of a role to play. It gave the last one a lot of time to spend on marketing.

  28. ruawake @ 371 –

    Abortion is one of those topics that really generate heat, but what is often forgotten is that making it illegal or not funding it doesn’t stop abortions being carried out. It only drives women to backyarders, often with horrendous results as a recent NY Times article explains.

  30. Why do people buy newspapers? The Real Estate section? For Sale Ads? Situations Vacant? TV Guide? Crossword? Sports? Maybe for all these reasons.

    But to read Sham I Am or Pies or The Bolt I think not. 😛

  31. ruawake, cryptic crosswoards I reckon, but the point is that we’re all railing against the msn and i think they’re going down the gurgler as everyone gets a bit more savvy in finding the truth – viva the internet

  32. As a recent recipient of ANZ Stadium largesse via a corporate booth at said venue I can attest to the following:

    The “Footy Fare” buffet consists of the following:

    * A nice white-coated person to serve the food (and to make sure no-one brings their own, as “Footy Food” costs a fortune).

    * Triangular-shaped filot pastry spinach and cheese crepes,

    * Proscuito slices with lemon maninaded black and green olives (pitted).

    * That kind of bread you buy a Cole’s which needs to be re-baked for five minutes and then served as a “hot bread roll” at dinner parties, with “gourmet footy sausage” plus either bar-b-que sauce or mild mustard as a relish,

    * “Pepper steak” mini party pies,

    * “Standard issue” party pies (both this and the above with dried, black gravy spilt out between the seams indicating cold pies baked in a too-hot oven),

    * Lamb kebabs (they don’t taste as good as Abdul’s Lebanese Restaurant lamb kebabs, but OK nevertheless),

    * Selection of gluten-free veggies for those gastronomically challenged by wheat products (i.e. all of the above except the lamb kebabs),

    * “Mexican” pastries (forgot whether they were tamales, or empanadas),

    * “4-Cheese Mini Pizzettes” about 60mm in diameter (served doughy),

    * Wine (red and white) and/or beer for the adults, plus unlimited Coca-Cola (TM) for the kids or those designated as driving home from the Game.

    All of the above when clasified as “hot” were actually pre-cooked and re-heated in a hurry (hence the burnt gravy on the party pies) , and perhaps inevitably, served cold by the time they reached the upper gastronimical tracts of the corporate bods present.

    Nothing at all like “Dagwood Dogs” on the menu, so KRudd was clearly lying about this (as he no doubt lies about everything). When will we get some substance delivered by these Labor Wreckers instead of SPIN, SPIN, SPIN???

    How dare these pretenders defile the sanctified reputation of the ANZ Stadium rip-off machine, aka. the “Corporate Catering Division” which charged well over a grand for this cold, half-cooked, re-heated, unpalatable crap they call “Footy Fare” (which didn’t even survive the “Doggy Bag” test when I smuggled out some for the pooches at home..? They took one sniff and walked away, disgusted…)

    I say there should be a Royal Commission into it, and a Royal Commission into KRudd’s heart, which is clearly giving out, leaving us fu%ked if the Chinese invade.

    This is all a plot by Gillard and her Union THUG mates to take over from Kevin 24/7 who thinks ear-wax is better tasting than Aussie Dagwood Dogs and Spinach+Cheese Crepes. (just read the Tele on this: http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23807135-5001021,00.html)

    What is KRudd doing eating “4-Cheese Pizzettes” any way? THIS IS NOT THE AUSSIE WAY!!! WHAT’S WRONG WITH DAGWOOD DOGS (or indeed) PLUTO PUPS?

    The Aussie Voter, who has to pay for his ticket like the rest of us unlike some MILLIONAIRE Labor types – who should be wearing boiler-suits instead of Armani suits – WANTS TO KNOW!!!

  35. “When The Daily Telegraph put to the PM rumours swirling within NSW Labor that he had had a minor heart attack in early May, he said that he had in fact been laid low by a “dodgy dagwood dog” at a sports venue.”

    No he did not, it was a “staffer”. Farr has sunken to verballing the PM. 🙁

  36. Just reviewing on youtube the US media reporting on Howard’s previous attack on Obama and the Democrats. It did get a fair bit of reporting and a comment back from Obama.

    It was quite plainly an attempt by Howard to harm the Democrat cause in their elections. A stupid stupid thing for a country’s leader to do. Can’t imagine we would have got great favors out of the US if Obama and Howard had ended up leaders.

    Now I suspect that if Obama does become President he may wish to repay the favor to Australia’s Republican party, at about the time the next election is due.

    I suspect, if Obama does win, that he will become extremely popular and iconic.

    Goodness, imagine Obama and Hu Jian Tao both turning up here in the same year – an election year. Wonder who would attain the national defence and foreign policy credentials then?

    Something to hope for.

  37. I guess if the Canadian leader turns up Downer can show off his fluent French that he brilliantly attained in a few weeks study.

  38. Bushfire Bill, clearly the dogs have more sense than those peddling such stupidity. Have you thought of hiring them out as “journalists”?

  39. Judy Barnes, there is no need for apology for speaking about what has happened to you and you’re family, or the response of those who are entrusted to take care (and it ain’t the meeja). I thought about you and your family, my thoughts are still with you, though that makes bugger all difference.

  40. And now it’s Perth’s turn for a “Pensioner Rally”

    [6PR’s Pensioner Rally

    In support of our listeners this Thursday June 5th, 6PR will be giving all pensioners an opportunity to have their say on the rising cost of living and pension rates.

    Simon Beaumont will be broadcasting from the Perth Town Hall between 10am and Midday and everyone is invited. We’ll put politicians from both sides of the political spectrum under the spotlight and representatives from interest groups will also have their say.

    After we finish, join us for a free cup of tea or coffee and a sandwich and meet the 6PR team including Millsy, Tony Mac, Simon Beaumont and Howard Sattler.

    Hope to see you there – 6PR’s Pensioner Rally – City of Perth Town Hall (corner of Hay and Barrack St) 10am-12 Midday, Thursday June 5.]

    http://www.mytalk.com.au/Stations/Talk/6PR/Pages/Events.aspx

  41. RU

    Reading all the comments re Rudd is amusing, the libs appear to believe that personal comments about Howard is a main reason why he was voted out and so they are going totally feral on Rudd.

    Of course the personal comments on Howard had very little if anything to do with Howard losing the election and his seat. The comments against Rudd will just turn people off, so much so that when an issue of substance arises that will most likely also be ignored by most people.

    On the whole they appear like a bird with a broken wing, flapping around in circles squarwking miserably.

  42. Good to see the Nationals and Liberals voting differently in the House of Reps today. That’s a great way to demonstrate how united they are. I hope they do merge, it would be great to see them scattering all over the place during divisions in the reps.

  43. 391 Rod that is very true. The Liberals thought it was just Howard staying too long that was the main problem. It was a poorly functioning government for almost twelve years that was the problem but they haven’t realised that yet and hence the flirtation with Nelson.

    If they were serious and functioning like a real opposition Nelson would be gone by now. It is going to take another election or two for the reality to dawn on them. This latest Newspoll locks them in to keeping Nelson, so they have actually slipped to a worse position than they were in last week when they could have rolled him and nobody would have cared.

  44. 392 Showson what issue were they divided on? Bligh was openly calling them the Pineapple Party in the Queensland parliament today.

  45. H.S.O. 389.
    while i’m not looking for sympathy the fact that some folk care enough to say so makes the world of difference, in one of the court cases when Von Einam was charged with Alan’s murder we had to sit day by day listening to the way he was tortured before he eventually died–they tortured him for a week before he died of massive blood loss, in that time every day when i got up to go to court i’d find a little posy of fresh flowers on my doorstep, we never found out who that thoughtful person was but i wonder if they knew what their gesture meant to me and how it helped keep me sane as i sat through each persons evidence clasping those flowers, i was one of the lucky ones i got Alan’s body back a few hours after they dumped it, others had to wait for years, the people who’d come up to me when i was out shopping, just to touch my hand and say they cared, well they more than made up for the other piruhanas and media in a feeding frenzy.
    i’ve lurked in the background here reading every post and said little because i’m good at talking but not with the written word, this site has given me hours of pleasure and quite a few laughs, for that and all of the thoughts i thank you all, i feel guilty imposing on Williams bandwidth so i’ll just leave it at that.

  46. [392 Showson what issue were they divided on? Bligh was openly calling them the Pineapple Party in the Queensland parliament today.]

    Abolishing the single wheat desk.

  48. 396 Yes, that would do it. I still think that with only 60% of the National Party voting in favour of the Queensland Pineapple Party that either the Nationals rolls are corrupt or there are a lot of Nationals opposed to the Palmer franchise that have no voice and have not been heard as yet on issues such as this.

  49. yoiks! were getting Brenda in full sympathy mode dressed in his shining armor, brandishing his sword wildly about, fighting the dreaded Rudd for the undertrodden pensioners, hmmm wonder where the “caring” knight Nelson was in all the years he was a minister in government, wouldnt that have been the time to support the pensioners when he could have made a difference?

    http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=574651

  50. If I was in charge of the ALP, I would delay the Wheat desk legalisation as long as possible as it is clearly hurt the relationship between the Nat and Libs.

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