BludgerTrack: 51.0-49.0 to Labor

The weekly poll aggregate continues to trend back to the Coalition, with Labor now short of an absolute majority on the seat projection.

A big week of polling, with Newspoll, Morgan and ReachTEL joining the usual weekly Essential Research, has added to the drift back to the Coalition on the BludgerTrack poll aggregate. The aggregate concurs with the headline figures of Newspoll and ReachTEL in having the Labor two-party lead at 51.0-49.0, which sees Labor’s seat projection dip below absolute majority status for the first time since the beginning of May. Labor is down one seat on last week in New South Wales, and two in Queensland. Newspoll provides new figures on the leadership ratings, which sadly have less to go on now the monthly Nielsen is removed from the equation. The Newspoll numbers were good for Bill Shorten, which is reflected in the trendline, whereas Tony Abbott’s recovery has tapered off. However, Abbott still has his nose in front as preferred prime minister.

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.

1,159 thoughts on “BludgerTrack: 51.0-49.0 to Labor”

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  1. Is this rumour or fact?

    ‏@AshGhebranious 16m
    Abbott lied to his own senators. Told them he had to attend a national security matter and went to private fundraiser instead #auspol

  3. lizzie

    It reads as exactly the sort of thing he’d do. Can’t see what the Senators have to complain about. They’d be pretty dumb to think they’d be exempt from Abbott “little while lies”

  5. Christopher Pyne is grumpy and irritable. The born to rule Tory is having a tantrum now that the senate will not let him deregulate the universities – something the Abbott government never got a mandate for. He claims students should “get some perspective” as the government is not “asking for their left kidney.”

    Well, here’s some perspective.

    If Pyne went to university under his deregulated system, he would be paying off HECS debts until the age of 64. This is not to mention how much harder a life would be to save for that ever more unaffordable house deposit and then somehow pay off that mortgage. And that’s before considering having children and the ballooning costs associated with raising them. What the minister is effectively asking those about to enter university is to indenture themselves into a life of debt. To rub salt in the wound, Pyne and Abbott never paid a cent for their degrees upfront.

    http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/aug/26/the-maths-on-university-fees-are-in-its-checkmate-for-christopher-pyne?CMP=twt_gu

  6. Good morning Dawn Patrollers.

    Abbott’s internal woes are coming to light now.
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/tony-abbott-snubbed-his-senators-for-melbourne-fundraiser-20140827-1097w2.html
    Abbott’s blood is in the water and News Ltd is nowhere to be found – New Matilda.
    https://newmatilda.com/2014/08/27/abbotts-blood-water-and-news-limiteds-nowhere-be-found
    Yes, he’s under pressure over his travel claim reasoning.
    http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/27/tony-abbott-under-pressure-over-melbourne-travel-expenses
    No doubt Abbott will study polling results before making a decision to go to war. Again!
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/terror-hits-home-us-said-to-be-seeking-allies-for-iraq-bombing-raids-20140827-3efh3.html
    Michelle Grattan’s take on Abbott’s rush to war.
    https://theconversation.com/abbott-government-is-readying-to-put-on-the-khaki-30988
    Nick Xenophon piles into Alan Joyce.
    http://www.smh.com.au/comment/qantas-chief-alan-joyce-has-many-questions-to-answer-20140827-108wov.html
    Now it’s 9 disgraced NSW Libs – and still counting!
    http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/now-the-nsw-liberals-worry-is-not-mathematics-its-geography-20140827-1095l9.html
    How can religious chaplains be “non-judgemental? Abbott is a disgrace on this ideological matter.
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/tony-abbott-to-keep-secular-workers-out-of-school-chaplaincy-program-20140827-1091u0.html
    Mark Latham says Labor needs to see “Bill the Bastard”.
    http://www.afr.com/p/opinion/labor_needs_to_see_bill_the_bastard_ME7JT3dRzUGNGYc2C8hY1N
    This will be interesting. Eventually!
    http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/digital-life-news/legislation-to-define-exactly-what-metadata-will-be-stored-for-law-enforcement-and-spies-20140827-1094su.html

  7. Section 2 . . .

    Kevin Bloody Andrews – Family Man of the Year. What an accolade!
    http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/aug/27/kevin-andrews-natural-family-man-of-the-year-would-be-a-funny-concept-if-it-wasnt-so-serious
    Pyne’s finest hour is near.
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/government-to-unveil-higher-education-legislation-20140827-1096il.html
    Now this inquiry (if it gets up) will be a beauty!!
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/clean-energy-industry-calls-for-inquiry-into-renewable-energy-target-review-20140827-10974m.html
    Joe Hockey’s not having a great time lately.
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/joe-hockeys-bid-to-hire-author-david-hunt-as-speechwriter-stutters-to-a-halt-20140827-1096yc.html
    Labor’s questioning gets Hockey (at last) to admit to a $7b pensions reduction.
    http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/27/joe-hockey-concedes-7bn-cut-in-pension-budget-under-changes
    “Joe has lost his mojo – here comes Julie Bishop” says Paul Sheehan.
    http://www.theage.com.au/comment/julie-bishop-gathers-support-as-next-lib-leader-20140827-1090yf.html
    A desperate Malaysia Airlines goes into cut price mode.
    http://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2014/08/27/malaysia-airlines-cheaper-air-asia/
    Nice work from Kathy Jackson.
    http://www.theage.com.au/national/investigations/hospitals-250000-payment-to-health-union-based-on-grossly-inflated-legal-fees-20140827-1092nn.html
    Peter Wicks says the wheels fell of Kathy’s bus yesterday at the hearing.
    http://wixxyleaks.com/runaway-train-the-jacksonville-train-leaves-the-rails-at-royal-commission/
    The three worst things the Liberals did yesterday.
    http://www.ellistabletalk.com/2014/08/27/the-three-worst-things-the-liberals-did-yesterday-43/

  8. Section 3 . . .

    Rough justice for public servants and defence personnel at tribunals.
    http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/public-service/public-servants-defence-personnel-face-rough-justice-on-tribunal-challenges-20140827-10644g.html
    Serial lightweight ignoramus George Christensen admits he was wrong on dredging.
    http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/aug/27/barrier-reef-government-mp-says-he-got-it-wrong-on-dredging-spoil-support
    Abbott “unfit to govern”, says Bill Shorten.
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/bill-shorten-says-tony-abbott-unfit-to-govern-after-entitlements-leaks-20140827-108vq5.html
    More from the AMA against the copayment proposal.
    http://www.smh.com.au/comment/ama-we-must-discourage-our-bulkbilling-culture-20140827-108ynj.html
    Despite the cost (as opposed to cost/benefit) analysis Turnbull will have his work cut out.
    http://www.smh.com.au/comment/smh-editorial/coalition-must-push-on-with-a-slower-nbn-sooner-but-hurdles-remain-for-malcolm-turnbull-20140827-1093h0.html
    Alan Moir gives us Abbott’s family policy.

    David Pope at Manus.
    http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/federal-politics/cartoons/david-pope-20120214-1t3j0.html
    David Rowe takes Abbott and Hockey into the cockpit.
    http://www.afr.com/p/national/cartoon_gallery_david_rowe_1g8WHy9urgOIQrWQ0IrkdO

  9. Morning all.

    Tony Abbott broke with tradition

    For a “conservative” quite a few traditions seem to be biting the dust when they do not suit Tony Abbott’s personal political agenda or lifestyle.

  11. Radio announcer Alan Jones was truly bewildered while interviewing Christopher Pyne on Wednesday, astounded that despite the education minister’s “brilliant” advocacy skills the “blockheads” running state governments could not understand that the allegation of an $80bn cut was totally wrong. In fact, Jones said, “there hasn’t been a more monstrous lie perpetrated since Julia Gillard said there’d be no carbon tax”.

    Pyne somehow neglected to refer Jones to page 7 of the government’s glossy budget overview which clearly states that the government is changing indexation of state grants and “removing funding guarantees for public hospitals. These measures will achieve cumulative savings of over $80bn by 20024-25.”

    Nor did Pyne take issue when Jones suggested that the police should respond to the student protesters gathering around the country on Wednesday by “carting these thugs away and locking them up”. Indeed Pyne claims the students are “intent on shutting down democracy in Australia”.

    Of course protests should be peaceful. But rather than attacking all its critics – the opposition, the states, the students – the government might do better just trying to explain its budget and the choices it has made.

    http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/21/tony-abbotts-budget-defence-strategy-shifts-to-attacking-the-critics?CMP=twt_gu

  12. Thanks BK. Yes interesting about that terrorist crisis in Iraq – I forgot what happened to those budget bills again? Surely not a deliberate distraction. Joe Hockey has it all under control.

  13. BTW I must compliment the makers of the new ABC documentary on infrastructure planning in Australia “Utopia”. Very accurate and well researched, especially last night’s episode on the Very Futile Train. I just wish they had not changed all the names, so we could see which Ministers are being referred to?

    I hope future episode’s deal with Melbourne’s Very Big Tunnel, and Australia’s Not Built Network.

  14. From Sheehan’s article (alas, he isn’t up to his usual insane form…)

    One of the Liberal senators who will cross the floor to kill the scheme told me it will not pass unless payments are whittled back to six months on the equivalent of unemployment benefits.

    Which means (doesn’t it?) that it would be less generous than the present scheme (although covering a slightly longer time period) which makes it pretty pointless.

    Of course, the extra revenue would be handy.

    Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/comment/julie-bishop-gathers-support-as-next-lib-leader-20140827-1090yf.html#ixzz3Bd9habt5

  15. Poor BK had to post twice morning 😀

    With Bludgertrack at 51-49, Labor is back in minority government territory, my favourite kind of government 🙂

  17. shorten is dull as dishwater … his rhetoric is limp and tepid – labor is a national party and have a duty to get best leaders – not just satisfy internal power needs – whatever were they thinking when they gave shorten the nod over someone like albanese?

  25. JBishop is the shining star of the coalition govt at present. People such as Reith and Sheehan lauding her as the next liberal leader. I doubt Abbott sees her as a rival. After all, she is a woman.

  27. Soc

    the Very Futile Train.

    I had a mate who worked for a train building company somewhere around Gosford. He had a Tie that had ‘VFFT’ and a big tick embroidered on it.

    We are not there yet (unlike the UK where HS2 should have been done 30 years ago).

  28. victoria

    lauding her as the next liberal leader

    Yeah just like Bronnie was. Unreliable memory recalls Mandy Vanstone being mentioned at some stage.

  29. Christopher Pyne is ‘excited’ about his reforms. So excited he said nothing about them prior to the 2013 election.

    There’s nothing to negotiate except to postpone the commencement date by 2 years to give him time to share his excitement. That will and give hime time to convince the electorate in the leadup to the next election.

  31. CTar

    Sarcasm aside, the Utopia episode last night really was quite accurate. A VFT in Australia is not viable in an age of affordable oil. Doing a good interstate rail freight network to get all the long distance trucks off major rural highways would be a far better use of half the money. It would also save more greenhouse gases and better support regional towns.

    So if we want to employ rail workers, lets complete urban passenger rail and rural freight lines, not waste money on something that is far more expensive, and would have capacity to move far more people than actually travel between any two of our capital cities.

    To put it in perspective, a modern VFT line can move the equivalent of a jumbo jet full of people every six minutes between two cities. We do not have anything close to that number of people even travelling between Sydney and Melbourne. Sorry, it is nonsense. I’m sure it was a nice tie. I have a Brisbane Lions one that is a personal favourite. That does not mean they will win the flag this year.

  32. confessions

    But the worst excuse ever was that he couldn’t fit the dinner into his schedule because he was already committed on that date, when the Senators’ dinner is apparently a standard event. (Pet writhes in agony in her attempts to rewrite history.)

  33. Pyne will be introducing the higher education reforms into the HOR today. Of course, it will have no problem passing

    No doubt they’ll all be back slapping each other as well, sickening.

  34. An interesting piece here by Paul Krugman on how Tea Party economics is running out of steam in the USA. THis may be relevant to why Abbott and Hockey are having such difficulty selling their budget, based on the same stupid ideas.
    http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/08/25/real-americans-and-real-economics/?_php=true&_type=blogs&module=BlogPost-Title&version=Blog%20Main&contentCollection=Opinion&action=Click&pgtype=Blogs&region=Body&_r=0

    CTar sorry if my comments were harsh on the VFT. It is a frustrating topic for people who work in the transport field, and I should not overreact. Have a good day all.

  36. Soc

    A VFT in Australia is not viable in an age of affordable oil. Doing a good interstate rail freight network to get all the long distance trucks off major rural highways would be a far better use of half the money.

    I play a small part (regrettably – I should have never promised to do this) in getting the UK HS2 to go.

    Only a couple of hours ago I said somewhere else “it’s not about passengers and badgers, it’s about freight”.

  37. lizzie:

    People using direct quotes from the PM to leak to journalists would have Abbott more worried than the poor excuses he was cited as giving.

  38. the higher education reforms are not going down well for the families whose children are attending university open days.
    I am surprised that this issue is not front and centre of the political debate. It is going to dramatically change the social landscape of this country

  39. victoria:

    I wonder if, as intimated yesterday, it’s ministers sick of being blamed individually for the woeful performance of this govt?

  40. Talking of rewriting history, Brandis is going the 10 degrees of difficulty with twist and pike.

    He has given a speech crying out for religious freedom, arguing that it is the Catholic Church that has fought for individual freedom for 2000 years, and that the secular lobby are just jumping on the bandwagon and attacking the Church “with prejudice”. (Hidden agenda: defend the paedophile priests?)

    On Radio National early this morning I heard David Marr refute this theory with knobs on. Beautiful to hear. There may be a transcript, don’t know.

  41. fess

    I gather the MPs are getting frustrated with a lack of real leadership, apart from the beating of the terrorism drum, which is all Abbott is focussing on

  42. From Savva —

    Abbott did more to undermine his own budget with a few words than the crossbenchers and Labor have managed in months.

    To be fair, most of the damage to the selling of the budget has been caused by the government, and this was as bad, if not worse, than the Treasurer’s remarks about carless poor people.

    I love the ‘to be fair’ there – let’s not give Labor or anyone else credit, the government f*cked it up all by themselves.

    (All Labor had to do was not get in the way…)

    Backbenchers thought Macdonald was a silly old bugger and fellow Queenslander Ewen Jones took him to task.

    And, as Macdonald has pointed out, no one outside the party room should know this.

    The culture this hints at (if you criticise the PM, it will be leaked) has the potential to damage the Liberals further.

    If MPs do not feel that they can speak freely in the party room, ideally then they do not speak out at all. Which means the government will become further out of touch with what’s happening on the ground.

    Not living in an ideal world where every MP is a well regulated automaton, what will happen is that MPs vent elsewhere – and that’s most likely to be in the media.

    So those leaking against Macdonald are (potentially) damaging the party more in the long run than they are Macdonald (who has very little to lose…)

    Abbott said he was late because he had to attend a fundraiser in Melbourne on Monday night, then added that for “entitlement reasons” he needed to have an event in the morning, and that was what made him late.

    Despite Turnbull’s convenient hearing loss, it’s good to see that this is now established in the media as an absolute fact.

    ..was that the government was in a good position and had probably done as well as the Howard government had in its first year (which, by the way, was shattered by travel rorts).

    Ah. So we can expect the Libs to lose on the 2PP at the next election, at the very least, if this is their standard.

    Strictly speaking, what happened with Abbott was not dysfunction. It was a moment of madness brought on by poor planning, extreme tiredness and provocation.

    That excuse only works if this was an isolated event.

    http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/loose-lips-try-to-sink-abbotts-leaky-ship/story-fnahw9xv-1227039179829

    Has any intrepid investigative journalist, spurred on by the brave actions of their colleagues in places like Syria, managed to find out what this fundraiser was? I mean, I would imagine that it would take all of twenty minutes max to find out. (Ah, sorry — clearly too much effort…)

  43. CTar1

    “it’s not about passengers and badgers, it’s about freight”.

    Wot !!! Take all those big slow trucks clagging up motorways off the road ? Far too sensible.

  46. Yeah just like Bronnie was. Unreliable memory recalls Mandy Vanstone being mentioned at some stage.

    Plus only very recently, hockey.

  47. poroti

    The NIMBY’s not credible on HS2.

    The Badger’s learned quick time from the Motorway’s that if they hit a bit of fence then you go left or right. Then they’ll find a funnel shaped bit with an underpass.

    For them it’s “Free Willie” time.

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