Seven News in South Australia has the second in what will evidently be many ReachTEL polls of the state seat of Hartley, which Nick Xenophon will contest at the election in March. The poll records primary vote support for Xenophon at 29.3%, with the Liberals on 36.4% and Labor on 20.7%, though this would not exclude an undecided component that is probably in the vicinity of 10%. After respondent-allocated distribution of Labor and other preferences, Xenophon emerges ahead 53-47 – equal to the result of a Galaxy poll result shortly after Xenophon announced his intentions a month ago, but better for him than the 50-50 result in a ReachTEL poll conducted at the same time. The poll also includes a preferred premier result which has Xenophon on 43.7%, Steven Marshall on 31.3% and Jay Weatherill on 25%. It was conducted last night from a sample of 610.
ReachTEL: 53-47 to Nick Xenophon in Hartley
Further indications that Nick Xenophon has his nose in front in a competitive race against the Liberals in Hartley.
Whens the last time a third party candidate was the preferred premier in a poll?
Not much “clear air” for the next “Premier” of South Australia.
Ides of March says:
Dunno, but it should be noted that the result is just a for a single seat. Bob Katter would likely be the preferred PM in a poll of Kennedy. Likewise, Di Natale in the seat of Melbourne.
Xenophon may have his nose in front of the hapless liberals but at the end of the day he is just another liberal drone.