Essential Research has opened its account for the year with a poll that include its monthly-or-so leadership ratings, which record only slight changes on the end of last year: Scott Morrison is down a point on approval to 61% and up two on disapproval to 30%, Anthony Albanese is down one to 42% and up four to 33%, and Morrison’s lead as preferred prime minister goes from 50-24 to 51-25.
The survey also posed some semi-regular questions on climate change, finding a striking increase in the view that Australia is doing enough to address it (from 19% a year ago to 35%) and a corresponding decline in the view that not enough is being done (from 62% to 42%), with the “doing too much ” response up two to 10%. Despite this, 58% of respondents believed climate change related to human activity (up two on a year ago) against 32% who considered it part of normal climactic fluctuation (steady).
The other questions in the survey for the most part aren’t particularly political, relating to COVID-19 vaccine uptake and Australia Day. The change to the words of the national anthem finds 54% support and 16% opposition, with 30% on the fence.
In other poll news, The Australian yesterday related that polling conducted by Community Engagement for the CFMEU suggested Labor was in big trouble in the Hunter region seats of Paterson (Liberal up from 32.5% to 42.9%, Labor down from 41.1% to 30%, Greens down from 6.9% to 6.8%, and One Nation down from 14.2% to 6.9%, Nationals on 1.8%) and Shortland (Liberal up from 37.4% to 44.9%, Labor down from 41.1% to 28.3%, Greens down from 8.3% to 6.2%, One Nation on 8% and Nationals on 1.3%). The polls were conducted in November from samples of 955 per electorate. Given the evident interest of the client of putting pressure on the opposition leadership over coal mining, and all the other qualifications that apply to reports of private polling, a degree of caution is advised.
It would be interesting to know where the duck hunters who cant identify the species come from. I have heard many experienced hunters are aggrieved by suburban newbies with a gun fetish. However, they will still blame ALP/Greens if the season is banned rather than the b@stards who dont take their responsibilities seriously.
Simon Katich
Decades ago, I used to work alongside a group of ‘mates’ whose single duck hunting experience seemed to be the opening. Like Christmas for them. Booze and guns. Very macho. I bet for the rest of the year they wouldn’t recognise a duck if they fell over it.
I’m surprised that only 12 National Guard soldiers were removed from the inauguration duties. I reckon, based on national figures, that at least 40% of them would be Trump supporters, arguably more for those who wear a uniform are more inclined to the Right of politics. But I guess only a small percentage of Trump supporters are utter nutters(?).
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As for cricket, a great win by India, and great to see a test being decided late on the fifth day. India had a lot going against it,
with a top player missing due to a personal reason and others due to injury. Paine’s sledge in Sydney didn’t exactly go to plan.
He likes to think he is liked by the military but they would see through him. He has none of the qualities required.
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He likes to think he is like Trump!
Newsltd agenda for Morrison and co is to compare BLM protests to the domestic terrorist actions which Trump incited
This is an entertaining parody of Trump using “The Day the Music Died”. Pretty well produced as such things go; it was made a year ago but is no less relevant now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=-Ue5F57dZMU
yesterday in the cricket test ,where Indians deserved to win the test and series , the commentators were trying to claim Mitchell Starc was all over indian batsman pujara , what i seen in the game it was the other way around
The military is no fan of ‘bone spurs’ Trump…..he has called them losers, called captured McCain no war hero, didn’t attend War Remembrance ceremonies (particular the WW2 one in France when he hid out of the rain in his hotel) etcetc ….. I saw in one report on election night that he was capturing about 25 perecnt of the military vote (could be wrong)….All the Defence Heads (except one) publically shot down his vote rigging nonsense.
“Newsltd agenda for Morrison and co is to compare BLM protests to the domestic terrorist actions which Trump incited”
There is ample footage of whites smashing windows of shops in Atlanta and then running away when black people tried to stop them.
Military Band practising “Hit the Road, Jack,” outside the gates may be a fabrication, but it’s a popular theme.
The Guardian running a story about a Georgian election official trying to change the rules so Republicans have a better chance in 2022. Republicans have been doing this for donkeys (and some Democrats too) and often through election boards rather than the usual political scumbaggery in state legislatures. Clearly they will continue down this line and SCOTUS will support them. Perhaps with an increase placement of ultra party hacks in election boards.
What will be interesting is how tightening of rules for absentee voting and voter rolls and ID cards will change elections in the future. I suspect that the Dems are getting better at organising people to overcome the obstacles. The obstacles will also adversely affect Trumps base – perhaps far more now than they would have restricted the traditional republican base of the past.
I do think Biden has an opportunity here. He could make come concessions wrt no excuse absentee voting but either move the date to a Saturday or make the Tuesday a Public Holiday (AND increase funding for polling booths and counting). Neither will be easy as it will require all states to agree on making it a public holiday and it is clear the Red states will not agree on anything they perceive will diminish their electoral prospects. However, it is the Republicans that have started this bandwagon that absentee voting and drop off ballot boxes is bad. Well, the answer is to make Tuesday voting easier.
BK @ #59 Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 – 10:43 am
Meanwhile back at the land of the ………..(maybe “Fairy Stories for Dullards”)
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/hints-of-trumpism-in-daniel-andrews-mark-mcgowan/news-story/df61e1fed3191d300f37600cf706098c
It is none other then Daniel Andrews and Mark McGowan who are Trumplike. Who would have thought the our old friend Greg Craven would have come up with this line in sterling, solid plate, bullshit ❓
I suppose Daniel Andrews is a male politician and Donald Trump is a male politician….
Doughnut Day in NSW
Nearly 20,000 tests
This obviously needs context. Lots of context and qualification. (I’m not listening to the speech, but this sentence is being quoted on its own.)
I suspect that Annastacia Palaszczuk will feel aggrieved at being left out of the Greg Craven story. Surely an oversight – I can’t believe that sexism could be in play. 🚺
Re the Ross Gittins article. It reminded me of a fabulous interview Philip Adams did with the late great JK Galbraith eons ago. One of the topics touched on was post WWII welfare/welfare state development/planning (JK ‘was involved). A particular point seems very relevant to the US and its politics of late.
He said that the reasoning behind introducing so much of the ‘welfare state’ was not, as people assume, protecting the poor it was in fact to protect the wealthy/elites. The war had caused immense destruction of wealth among ‘the elites’ , total behind the Iron Curtain. Dire poverty pre war was blamed for the ‘peasants’ turning to extreme politics, both left and right and they had just experienced the result of that.
So from that perhaps we should not be surprised at the uprising of “The Deplorables”. Next time we/they may not be so lucky in having had a ‘Trump’ leading them.
Oakeshott country @ #69 Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 – 11:01 am
It’s always better news when Dr McAnulty does the update. And even when it’s not, it doesn’t seem so bad.
There is no ‘the military’ in the US.
At any one time there are around 22-23 million who are serving, or who have served, in the US defence forces.
IMO, Trump’s particular target audience was lower rank serving soldiers and vets.
Craven by name…
How the regional electorates are won… and lost.
Coalition politicians are touring the regions checking on how the pork barrel is rolling out. Progressives in Victoria are targeting regional duck shooters.
How easy is that for Morrison and McCormack?
boerwar @ #74 Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 – 10:07 am
They didn’t vote for him either. 🙂
Scott @ #62 Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 – 10:20 am
I thought the Indian batsmen seemed mostly at ease with the Australian bowlers (excluding the pink ball disaster). The Australian bowlers toiled remarkably well considering. I thought Lyon could have been better. Minor criticism tho as he was up against players who grow up playing spin. Not sure the bowling tactics across the board was up to scratch. But again, they came up against some quality batsmen, plus high quality allrounders (Jadeja, Ashwin, Pant), and some top younger players.
It might all have been different had Paine got that stumping and not dropped some difficult catches. I thought his field placing late on day 5 was odd (and at other times). An earlier declaration on day 4 with the ball seaming might have made a difference. Late day 5 Labuschagne fielding at midoff no-mans land seemed flat footed – more worried about saving 4 than catching a mistimed Pant drive. The Australian leadership group thought a draw was easily achievable without taking wickets when it seemed to me the Indian team were always intent and on target for a win so long as they had wickets in hand.
This was a triumph for those Indian batsmen who suffered the ignominy of the collapse in Adelaide and the younger ones who came in. A triumph for Shastri and the India team leaders.
It has gotten to the point now with the Oz that the editors/writers and the readership are in a symbiotic freefall.
My father and my grandfather went duck hunting a couple of times when I was a young tacker and it was still legal in NSW. It was my job, when they returned with their haul, to pluck a duck or two. Then my father would prepare the meal for us to eat.
Can I just say that I imagine that most duck shooters that are left carrying out this barbaric practice in Australia probably are more concerned with the kill than the cook because I am here to say that wild duck is the most disgustingly greasy meat with THE most overpoweringly rich flavour, and not in a good and tasty way, that I have ever let pass my lips.
I’ve had pheasant and quail too (my parents were foodies), and they are tolerable but wild duck isn’t.
One of the ways in which the UN is corrupt. There is simply no credible way that Fiji should have this role.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/20/fiji-warned-on-failings-at-home-after-winning-un-human-rights-council-role
ar
True for serving military.
I have not seen separate polling for around 18 million vets.
Morrison is now showing the extra weight he has piled on in 2020. Leaders like Dan Andrews lost weight during the pandemic crisis, but Scotty “I just don’t care, mate,” has regarded it as a holiday.
Simon Katich @ #79 Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 – 11:14 am
They think it’s a winning strategy…’But Labor’ and if they can factor in a ‘and worse’ all the better.
However, what gets me is that craven fops like Greg Craven (see what I did there? 😀 ) should be well-known in the Australian consciousness as being fluffers for the Coalition, so why are their words taken at all seriously?
lizzie,
It’s beginning to look like a beer gut on Morrison to me.
boerwar @ #81 Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 – 8:18 am
Bit like nearly any other country you could name.
lizzie, I have seen recent photos showing Morrison trimmer. Photos can deceive… or there is on occasion some artificial support.
That is my point. The readership lap it up. It is a circle of fluffers.
The real Q is why the ABC and other media outlets pay any attention to anything the Oz publishes. The Oz is blatantly partisan – a hard right of the LNP propaganda outfit. Far too often the Murdoch goons set the media agenda.
Simon Katich
Old publicity shots recycled?
B
Uh, no.
Fiji has an openly racist constitution.
Simon Katich @ #88 Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 – 11:30 am
Because obviously partisan opportunistic commentators like Craven wield their resume like a weapon. Sure he has some serious qualifications but he is determined, it seems, not to put them to good use or to be balanced or fair. And the ABC feels obliged to report his ‘words of wisdom’ as a result, ignoring the obvious contradictions in what he is saying.
boerwar @ #90 Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 – 8:33 am
So, are the countries that do it more subtly are any better?
Or, should we praise hypocrisy?
This, plus the Adani Convoy, demonstrates a clear propensity for the far left actively handing government to the Coalition:
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jan/20/bhp-cuts-mount-arthur-coalmine-valuation-by-15bn-after-thermal-coal-price-plunges
You got to admit it is fun!
Can’t beat Scrooter but we can call him fatty.
‘Joyful’ Mobile Phone Photo of the Year:
Above is “Daily Life of Four Big Mouth Monsters” which won Picture of the Year. It focuses on four happy children playing a silly game.
Winning photographer Zhang Yu describes what’s going on in the image:
Putting hand into shirt and reaching out from the collar, which posture the kids name “huge mouth monster.” Look, two monsters are playing with each other, one monster is staring into space, and another is trying to get into a dog hole. This world belongs to kids, just let them have it. What I have captured is nothing more than some ordinary moments of their world.
Contest judge commented about the winning image: “A funny, sweet, playful and curious moment with good composition, catching a perfect moment, and leaving the viewer to wonder what is going on with all four boys in the picture.”
Not a care in the world, even though it was 2020. 🙂
‘Barney in Tanjung Bunga says:
Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at 11:37 am
boerwar @ #90 Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 – 8:33 am
B
Uh, no.
Fiji has an openly racist constitution.
So, are the countries that do it more subtly are any better?
Or, should we praise hypocrisy?’
Sure. Every state in the world is as unfit as Fiji to hold a significant human rights role in the UN.
Barney
I was wondering about this, too.
boerwar @ #76 Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 – 11:12 am
Like shooting voters in a barrel.
mundo @ #94 Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 – 11:40 am
Something we can count on you would never do in all your obsequious glory and glorification of the man.
C@tmomma @ #92 Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 – 11:40 am
Just like Scrooter.