Newspoll: 52-48 to Labor

The latest result from Newspoll lands slightly at the upper end of the government’s recent form.

Courtesy of The Australian, the latest result from Newspoll records Labor with a two-party lead of 52-48, down from 53-47 in the last poll (which was three weeks ago rather than the usual two, owing to Easter). Labor and the Greens are both down a point on the primary vote, to 35% and 9%, with the Coalition and One Nation steady on 36% and 10%. Malcolm Turnbull is up two on approval to 32% and down two on disapproval to 57%, while Bill Shorten is up one to 33% and down one to 53%. Turnbull’s lead as preferred prime minister shifts from 41-32 to 42-33.

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.

1,209 comments on “Newspoll: 52-48 to Labor”

Comments Page 18 of 25
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  1. GeorgeTakei: Trump admin refuses to hand over documents about Michael Flynn to the House Oversight Committee. Sometimes silence speaks the loudest.

  2. BK

    Many mental health experts are publicly stating that in addition to Trump having a Narcissistic personality disorder, he has onset of frontal lobe dementia. What could go wrong with an unstable person being leader of the free world?!!!

  3. It’s fairly clear that Trump/Pence are desperate for ‘friends’ overseas and they have found a willing patsy in Turnbull.

    It’s not at all clear whether Turnbull would benefit politically from being aligned with the madmen currently in the White House.

  4. TS

    The good thing about the LNP transport policy in NSW. The second rail tunnel under Sydney Harbour. Thats been long overdue.

    One day we may actually see a rail line from manly to palm beach. One day.

  5. Victoria:

    I was only wondering yesterday whether Trump has early signs of dementia. It would certainly explain a lot about his forgetfulness and misspeaking.

  6. realDonaldTrump: Canada has made business for our dairy farmers in Wisconsin and other border states very difficult. We will not stand for this. Watch!

    seankent: Wisconsin is not a border state. twitter.com/realdonaldtrum…

  7. Regular readers of this blog will no doubt be aware that I am a language pedant, but my complaints are directed mainly to published material, particularly newspapers, which have seen fit to save money by dispensing with proof readers (sub editors).

    However, I am seething with anger at the unfairness of the government’s new citizenship test in all its parts, but above all the language proficiency test. It is so blatantly racist and discriminates against the poorly educated.

    There are also questions about the fairness of requiring applicants to demonstrate a specific type and level of English under examination conditions that is not required of all citizens. Those born in Australia are not required to pass an academic test of language in order to retain their citizenship.

    Perhaps an absurd example, but how many extremely well-remunerated sportspeople could pass the test?

    Many people are fluent in speech, but would fail a written test. Does that make them less suitable?

    Can’t go on. I’m so angry with the jumped-up, superior attitudes of Hawke and his fellow conservatives.

    http://www.smh.com.au/comment/would-you-pass-the-governments-proposed-english-language-test-20170425-gvrpzf.html

  9. lizzie
    #857 Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at 8:54 am

    Dammit, Lizzie, I wanted to say what you said but after consultation with Brown Bear 🐻 all I could come up with was “Effem”.

  10. Lizzie:

    The reality is that there are likely a large number of Australians, born and bred here who would not pass the citizenship test. I agree with you that it is unfair and discriminatory.

  12. I reckon this headline from Mordor Media’s flagship shows the sort of crap we are in for.

    Donald Trump, Malcolm Turnbull meeting: a show of strength

  13. A test has been used before to exclude undesirables under the White Australia Policy like the infamous Egon Kisch matter.

    The Government uses the dictation test[edit]
    The Strathaird arrived in Sydney Harbour on 16 November 1934. The Federal Government now attempted to exclude Kisch using the Immigration Restriction Act. The Act provided that “Any person who when asked to do so by an officer fails to write out at dictation and sign in the presence of the officer a passage of fifty words in length in a European language directed by the officer” would not be admitted.

    This was primarily intended, and used, as a means to exclude non-whites from entering Australia under the White Australia Policy, but it could be, and occasionally was, used to exclude other undesirables. Kisch demonstrated his fluency in a number of European languages, and he was then asked to write the Lord’s Prayer in Scottish Gaelic. He refused to participate and was deemed to have failed the test. He was then taken into custody, this time by the New South Wales police, who released him on AU£200 bail.

    The dictation test was also used to exclude another anti-war activist who had been invited to speak. Irishman (and therefore British subject) Gerald Griffin, had been given a dictation test in Dutch, which he had failed as he was meant to do. In his memoir Australian Landfall, Kisch records with gusto how Griffin then entered Australia under a false name and led the authorities a merry dance as he popped up unannounced to speak at meeting after meeting.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attempted_exclusion_of_Egon_Kisch_from_Australia

  14. Lizzie

    Being a pedant no surprise you can express yourself extremely well. 🙂

    You captured the sentiments of everyone that does not support these changes. As I said when I first heard of it. To me it reeks of White Australia.

  15. Guytaur
    I am hoping that influential voices will rise to defeat the new tests, and the changes to the years of waiting in limbo. Alex Hawke saying that the longer time will give migrants “more time to learn the language” is just arrogance.

  17. Lizzie

    Its a policy that won’t last long. Labor will reverse it when in power. The modern Labor party is no White Australia style supporters. I don’t think even the notable right luminaries like Joe De Bruyn would support that.

  19. I hadn’t thought of this.

    suemazzy‏ @suemazzy1 · 4m4 minutes ago

    With Turnbull out of country Barnaby will have final say on Budget

  21. lizzie @ #857 Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at 8:54 am

    Regular readers of this blog will no doubt be aware that I am a language pedant, but my complaints are directed mainly to published material, particularly newspapers, which have seen fit to save money by dispensing with proof readers (sub editors).
    However, I am seething with anger at the unfairness of the government’s new citizenship test in all its parts, but above all the language proficiency test. It is so blatantly racist and discriminates against the poorly educated.

    There are also questions about the fairness of requiring applicants to demonstrate a specific type and level of English under examination conditions that is not required of all citizens. Those born in Australia are not required to pass an academic test of language in order to retain their citizenship.

    Perhaps an absurd example, but how many extremely well-remunerated sportspeople could pass the test?
    Many people are fluent in speech, but would fail a written test. Does that make them less suitable?
    Can’t go on. I’m so angry with the jumped-up, superior attitudes of Hawke and his fellow conservatives.
    http://www.smh.com.au/comment/would-you-pass-the-governments-proposed-english-language-test-20170425-gvrpzf.html

    Agree 100%.
    How many migrants after WW2 would pass such a test?
    What about their spouses who followed them later?

    I live in a country where I speak very little of the language and in a town where apart from some work colleagues there is basically no English, yet I am able to interact with shopkeepers and others with basically no common language.

    While knowledge of a language certainly has benefits and can facilitate interaction, it is by no means an absolute barrier to participation within a society.

    That should be the key requirement, your ability to function within a Society.

  23. washingtonpost: Republicans’ plan to cut corporate taxes would lead to massive revenue losses, congressional accountant finds wapo.st/2q25xbu

    Our journalists could learn something from this.

  24. Sorry link.

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/04/25/republicans-plan-to-cut-corporate-taxes-would-lead-to-massive-revenue-losses-congressional-accountant-finds/?tid=sm_tw&utm_term=.6ad3bea82909

    ————————————————————

    In 2014, University of Washington researchers surveyed 1800 LGBT people, 50 and older, in US locations where same-sex marriage is legal; roughly a quarter were married, a quarter were in long-term relationships, and the rest were single. The results released this month show that the married LGBT people were in better physical and mental health, had more financial resources and greater levels of social support than both their single counterparts and those couples who hadn’t made it official.

    It turns out that – as it is for heterosexuals – marriage is good for the health and wellbeing of lesbians and gay men.

    http://www.smh.com.au/comment/the-side-effect-of-gay-marriage-that-will-improve-lives-20170423-gvqyw7.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=nc&eid=socialn%3Atwi-13omn1677-edtrl-other%3Annn-17%2F02%2F2014-edtrs_socialshare-all-nnn-nnn-vars-o%26sa%3DD%26usg%3DALhdy28zsr6qiq

  25. Sorry link.

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/04/25/republicans-plan-to-cut-corporate-taxes-would-lead-to-massive-revenue-losses-congressional-accountant-finds/?tid=sm_tw&utm_term=.6ad3bea82909

    ————————————————————

    In 2014, University of Washington researchers surveyed 1800 LGBT people, 50 and older, in US locations where same-sex marriage is legal; roughly a quarter were married, a quarter were in long-term relationships, and the rest were single. The results released this month show that the married LGBT people were in better physical and mental health, had more financial resources and greater levels of social support than both their single counterparts and those couples who hadn’t made it official.

    It turns out that – as it is for heterosexuals – marriage is good for the health and wellbeing of lesbians and gay men.

    http://www.smh.com.au/comment/the-side-effect-of-gay-marriage-that-will-improve-lives-20170423-gvqyw7.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=nc&eid=socialn%3Atwi-13omn1677-edtrl-other%3Annn-17%2F02%2F2014-edtrs_socialshare-all-nnn-nnn-vars-o%26sa%3DD%26usg%3DALhdy28zsr6qiq

  26. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-26/skin-whitening-demand-growing-in-australia-industry-reports/8471140

    Whitening is a cultural trend and derives from what’s known as “colourism” — a system that privileges lighter skin.

    It can be pervasive in Asian cultures where darker skin is often associated with manual outdoor work like farming, and therefore a lower status.

    According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ latest census data from 2011, 24.6 per cent of the population was born overseas, while 43.1 per cent of people have at least one overseas-born parent.

    “I think this sort of population shift has actually resulted in an uptake in potential purchase of skin-whitening agents and certainly in my practice as a dermatologist that specialises in pigmented skin and coloured skin, I’ve seen a growing number of consultations and queries,” Dr Michelle Rodrigues from the College of Dermatologists and a consultant dermatologist in Melbourne said.

  28. Smart electricity meters carry vulnerabilities that could assist burglars and compromise privacy, but Australian households are not being warned of the risks, a leading cyber-security expert has warned.

    Nigel Phair from the University of Canberra’s Centre for Internet Safety compiled a report on the risks of smart meters, which send data on a home’s utility use back to providers remotely rather than being read manually by an inspector.

    The report said some smart meters, mostly used for gas and water, only sent information one way and were safe.

    However, risks were particularly evident when a connection between the meter and provider sent information both ways — as is generally the case with smart electricity meters.

    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-26/smart-electricity-meter-hacking-uc-report/8471894

  30. Good Morning Bludgers 🙂
    I, too want to add my thanks to BK. For it is because of his links that I find myself following one with another suggested below the article I have read. Thus it is that I then come upon articles that really knock my socks off from journalists in other countries allied with the publication that had the original article linked by BK in it.

    So it came to pass this morning as I read the pieces about France’s upcoming Presidential election and the candidates. I like it when journalists weave a philosophical narrative and historical context into their pieces. Thus I thoroughly recommend the following article by Natalie Nougayrede:

    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/apr/24/marine-le-pen-beaten-french-presidency-front-national-emmanuel-macron

    Especially this paragraph which speaks to the dangers inherent in the beliefs of Far Left supporters, such as Melenchon in France, but Swamprat and Nicholas here on PB:

    For this generation the 20th century totalitarianisms, communism and nazism, may feel like ancient history. In the 1930s, communists often lumped socialists and the right into one bag: they called it “social-fascism”. George Orwell wrote eloquently about that dangerous trap.

    Enjoy!

  31. Lizzie

    Smart meters are small fry. In the Internet of things of smart gadgets the biggie is the smart key lock for the home. Those can be hacked and thus can open at the command of anyone with the right off the shelf software package.

    Apple has started the trend to fix this by requiring end to end encryption like that we expect with banking systems.

    There has been to much rush product to market without thinking about the security. Governments are just as guilty of this as companies by not legislating to require such encryption before sale.

  35. Petra Starke‏Verified account @petstarr · 12m12 minutes ago

    Main takeaway from the Yassmin/Anzac controversy: Australian conservatives seem very confused about what kind of free speech they support.

  36. A disappointing morning for Adrian and the other deranged ABC haters.
    An interview with a former ALP Prime Minister on the Korean situation, an interview with ALP Senator Jenny McAllister on our gender segregated workforce and noting that would really give the Govt any joy.
    And a report on AM of Greens Senator Nick McKim visiting Manus Island next week.
    Not a single report I could see that boosted the Govt in any way. But I am sure Adrian will see it differently.

  40. ‘Good on the ABC here. Not caving into bullying.’

    Agree. The right only believe in free speech when it’s them that are exercising it. Read the Telecrap article at a coffee shop, and it is really extraordinarily nasty.

  41. My advice for the Budget?

    Immediately scrap anything suggested or put in train by Abbott or Barnaby Joyce.
    Look up “longterm effects of unemployment” and stop pretending that “Jobs and Growth” is anything but empty air.

  43. I think that right wing politicians and columnists have their staff trawl through the tweets of prominent people of a small ‘l’ liberal or leftist bent to see if there is anything that they can get outraged about, especially around Christmas, Anzac Day and Easter.

  45. Gratuitous attack by our resident cyber-bully..

    “A disappointing morning for Adrian and the other deranged ABC haters.”

    ..and, as is usually the case, this bully calls into question the mental stability of other PBers..

  47. Barney in the delta
    How many migrants after WW2 would pass such a test?

    In those postwar years, as a Baby Boomer who grew up on the Argonauts, I remember English lessons on the ABC:

    ‘Peter and Mary are going to the shops.
    Where are Peter and Mary going?
    Peter and Mary are going to the shops.’
    (kind of thing)

    The ABD was a powerful force for integration and celebration of migrants under the Chairmanship of Sir Richard Boyer (Boyer Lectures). A really good read that.

    It wasn’t without some, though small, dissent:
    “National leaders largely supported ABC programs directed towards new settlers. In 1952, Prime Minister Robert Menzies received a letter from the Victorian Premier, J.H. McDonald, containing a resolution passed by the Women’s Section of the Country Party of Victoria calling for the elimination of English for New Australians from ABC radio. Menzies opposed the resolution pointing out that a great deal of emphasis had been placed on the learning of English skills for migrants and the implementation of this policy had enjoyed the wholehearted support of all sections of the community” (My emphasis)

    Ethnicity then and now is another issue.

  50. markjs @ #895 Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at 10:29 am

    Gratuitous attack by our resident cyber-bully target..
    “A disappointing morning for Adrian and the other deranged ABC haters.”
    ..and, as is usually the case, this bully calls into question the mental stability of other PBers..

    I think you omitted a word so I fixed it for you.
    So it is OK for regular rants attacking the ABC but not OK to occasionally respond?
    And yes, I do think some are entirely unbalanced in their attacks on the ABC. Is that saying they are mentally unstable? Or just pointing to their excessive bias and lack of balance?
    You really are a strange character.

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