The fortnightly Essential Research poll includes the pollster’s monthly leadership ratings, which gives Scott Morrison his weakest results since the onset of COVID-19 – down six on approval to 51% and up four on disapproval to 40%, with his lead as preferred prime minister narrowing slightly from 48-28 to 46-28. Anthony Albanese is up two on approval to 41% and down one on disapproval to 35%. These numbers have been fed into the BludgerTrack poll aggregate, sharpening Morrison’s established downward trend.
Approval of the federal government’s response to COVID-19 has also deteriorated, with a nine point drop in the good rating since last month to 44% and a six point increase in poor to 30%. Among respondents in New South Wales, the good rating for the federal government has slumped from 62% to 44%, and that for the state government is down from 69% to 57%. A range of other questions are featured on matters relating to COVID-19, including findings that 36% would be willing to get the Pfizer vaccine but not AstraZeneca (5% said vice-versa); that 40% believe the vaccine rollout is being down efficiently, down from 43% a month ago (and 68% earlier in the year); and that 64% believe it is being done safely, down from 67%.
The poll was conducted Wednesday to Sunday from a sample of 1099; full results can be viewed here.
Elsewhere, the Age/Herald yesterday published results aggregated from the three monthly Resolve Strategic polls which compared current voting intention with how respondents recalled having voted in 2019, and found women were more likely to have shifted away from the Coalition (down four points to 37%) than men (down one to 41%). On the subject of Resolve Strategic, Macquarie University academic Murray Goot casts a critical eye over its (and to a lesser extent Essential Research’s) attitudinal polling in Inside Story and takes aim at its refusal to join the Australian Polling Council and adhere to its transparency standards.
Recon, fair enough.
LOL I’m still incredulous the health minister’s surname is Hazard!
An informative point was made by Kerry Chant. That is that when the Health Orders were made, referring to ‘immediate family’, many demographics in SW Sydney took that to mean, Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Grandparents, even though they live in different houses, so they kept on getting together, and this is one of the main ways the Delta Variant has been spreading. So people need to realise that ‘immediate family’ means the people that live under the one roof with you and no one else.
Kerry trying to blame those darn ‘ethnics’, what with all their ‘extended families’ and all ? Oh dear.
Recon
I cannot argue with you about the dangers of worshipping leaders.
I just don’t think Victoria is doing that.
She is using data learnt from the Victorian government and applying it to what NSW is doing.
My point was apt c@t. Public health emergency in Sydney – and all the PB partisans like you can think of is gleefully blaming Gladys and Morrison.
It’s hard to see it as anything other than people like you delighting in others illness and misfortune for perceived political gain.
People will make their own judgements about governments – but it seems pretty clear all the governments (Labor and Liberal) have done nothing more than follow the health advice they have been given. That hardly seems surprising in a public health emergency.
Of course Morrison should get involved and show leadership, but this is hoping for way too much. He is all announcement and no leadership. Through this entire pandemic he has mostly ridden on the back of the hard work of Premiers and Chief Ministers. When mistakes were made in Victoria of course, he allowed his team to criticise from the sidelines. But now that things have gone badly wrong in New South Wales, we hardly see him.
To NSW PBers, I understand you are in a dark place atm and there are likely to be tough days ahead.
The best contribution any individual can make to improve the situation is to follow the rules of lockdown, stay home and minimise interaction with others. It might be unnatural, it might seem unfair and it might mean economic sacrifice. But it has to be done if you are to get through this medical emergency.
The sacrifice will be worth it in the end.
Good luck and best wishes to all.
@joshgnosis tweets
It’s interesting the tone of the Vax campaign is of the “protect yourself from others” variety and not “do your part” kind of thing.
Greensborough Growler says:
Sunday, July 11, 2021 at 11:47 am
To NSW PBers, I understand you are in a dark place atm and there are likely to be tough days ahead.
The best contribution any individual can make to improve the situation is to follow the rules of lockdown, stay home and minimise interaction with others. It might be unnatural, it might seem unfair and it might mean economic sacrifice. But it has to be done if you to get through this medical emergency.
The sacrifice will be worth it in the end.
Good luck and best wishes to all.
______________________
+1
Confessions
The crazies on Sky News naturally are all over that, calling him health hazard.
@billbowtell tweets
Ten day delay in calling Sydney lockdown, then lockdown lite and now exemption for non-essential big retailers what happens when business has too much say over public health. Every day longer in lockdown is tithe we’re paying to big non-essential retailers. @InsidersABC
Interesting how the anti-Labor trolls here are moving from ‘Victoria sucks big time’ to ‘everyone’s in the same boat, there’s not difference really.”
Wonder what’s changed?
Lars
I don’t recall, did you ever put forward that defence of Dan Andrews during Victoria’s outbreaks?
I don’t think I ever made any comment on the Victorian lockdown DN.
It is sad that we have Recon and Lars von Trier come on this morning to describe concerned, upset posters as “gleefully blaming”.
I know who I think is politicising the situation. I definitely have an opinion on who is gleefully blaming at present.
That sounds like a no.
Right, time to order some UHT milk (shudder).
Matt31:
From what I’ve seen of his performances, he doesn’t inspire much confidence…
Lars
Admitting you’re a troll?
Fair enough.
zoom
Exactly. It’s the same argument that was considered not good enough when put forward in defence of the Victorian government.
One side of the debate has consistently maintained “we’re all in the same boat”, that every state is susceptible to outbreaks, no matter how good their public health response (that’s not to say mistakes have not been made). That it was just a matter of time and good/bad luck.
The other side has switched from “we’re doing it better” to “we’re all in the same boat”. Hardly consistent.
People will make their own judgements on how well our government’s performed during covid in the next election campaign.
In Victoria the Health Minister “resigned” but no one was to blame about hotel quarantine. In NSW the debate will be about whether we should have locked down a week earlier. I’d be very surprised if Gladys did anything other than follow the health advice – as a politician why would you do anything but?
The reality is Metro Perth or Adelaide can lock down for 3 days and no one really notices – locking down Sydney has real economic impacts.
The good news is about 36% have had one or more vaccine doses and the latest modelling suggests it will be about 80% by late October with both doses – so that is excellent news. Despite vaccine propaganda (including from some on here) we will have vaccinated almost our entire population in about 7 months.
DisplayName says:
Sunday, July 11, 2021 at 11:56 am
zoom
Exactly. It’s the same argument that was considered not good enough when put forward in defence of the Victorian government.
______________________
well why would I speak for Dan Andrews when the likes of Credlin, Jones and Murdoch were carrying on? No one but Labor stooges were getting agitated by them. The rest of us Victorians just followed the health orders.
My criticism of Andrews was over the hotel quarantine and the resultant ‘inquiry’.
Victoria- Booo Dictator Dan
NSW- We’re all in this together.
@MehreenFaruqi tweets
Enough is enough. Communities across Greater Sydney are in desperate need of more support to get through this lockdown and ensure everyone is safe.
We need proper income support and JobKeeper, and for the eviction bans to be reinstated. Our health and livelihoods depend on it.
Thinking of everyone across Greater Sydney dealing with the lockdown. My heart goes out to the family of the woman who passed away overnight as well. Please stay safe everyone
Utter madness!
zoomster says:
Sunday, July 11, 2021 at 11:55 am
Lars
Admitting you’re a troll?
Fair enough.
___________________
Sometimes I think its a shame stupid isn’t painful.
the so called ‘trolls’ on here are the only ones who think Labor governments shouldn’t be above criticism. That’s ok. I despise being a lemming.
What’s that old Latin saying: Better to be a lion for a day, than a sheep for a lifetime.
My guess is that Victoria will close the border to NSW in the next day or so. The chaos that would ensue from a decision to implement before the end of school holidays is not worth the grief.
Jeroen has already flagged that people wanting to return from NSW need to do it now.
With Gladys forecasting infections at over 100 tomorrow, then it’s a matter of when.
So both Victoria and NSW should have shut down sooner. agreed.
————
That simplifies it to the point we won’t learn the right lessons.
For me, I see one government prepared to take some blame for a breakout at a time of great uncertainty in the pandemic. They instituted inquiries and some heads rolled (you are welcome to criticise those things as many did at length here and directly to a very available premier). Compare that to NSW.
Now… I don’t believe in a system where the big decisions should be handed to technocrats. I want our politicians to stand up and lead. And with that must come a humble acceptance of fallibility and openness to accountability. But we have a democracy that too often revolves around tribal allegiance both by voters and some media outlets which gives politicians the confidence to be arrogant, to double down, to reject inquiries or corruption commissions, and endlessly spin the most outrageous webs of nonsense.
I reckon the Vics will declare NSW a red zone from tonight.
Greensborough Growler @ #3029 Sunday, July 11th, 2021 – 12:02 pm
poroti @ #3004 Sunday, July 11th, 2021 – 9:42 am
Just shows a lack of cultural awareness and not clearly defining what you are referring to.
Just a reminder of what was said by GB:
“”We sought advice from the experts. Not just health experts.
From the business sector too.”
Funny thing is I will almost certainly vote for both Albo and Andrews next time. That’s probably more to do with their opposition than anything. But one thing is certain, I won’t be performing daily online fellatio on either of them.
Recon, you’re free to say whatever you like, but if you consistently put forward one side of the argument because “balance”, then you’ve no-one to blame but yourself if you’re perceived as a partisan.
Like boerwar telling us that his China diatribes are for “balance” on the generally left leaning PB forum, while he puts forward the other side of the debate on right wing forums. Maybe he does, but I can only go on what he says here.
Or me, in responding to the rantiness of boerwar’s rants, end up looking like I disagree with everything he says (actually there are some things I agree with, but he’ll never know that :P) and come across (so I’m told) as a Xiphiliac. Well whatever, no big deal :P.
The mistakes on the fly and the second wave last year in Victoria saw the Independent enquiry cost Mikakos and Eccles their jobs.
NSW had all the events previously and lessons to learn from so this type of outbreak and lengthy lockdown should never have happened.
Who of the leadership will pay the price and lose their job ?
GG
Thanks. We are all hunkering down. In the early days of this outbreak I was taking my mother to quite a few places for medical tests, and she insisted on lunch out each time, which is why I feel like I was playing Russian roulette until recently . But in the last week she has been told very firmly that we go shopping once a week, and that it is it.
She is not happy, and has decided I am over-reacting.
Also, she lives by herself and has dementia, so I go carefully by myself to her place 10 mins walk away each day, because she cannot really manage by herself. I wonder how many people in SW Sydney are also in this situation – carer responsibilities are a reason to visit.
Also, thanks for the discussion yesterday about coping with dementia in aging parents. On a cold Sydney day I am catching up with PB from yesterday (and scrolling past the arguments – what was wrong with people yesterday).
My OH and I both lost one parent young, but OH’s father only died at 96 years old, less than two years ago, and my 86 your old mother is deteriorating before my eyes.
FIL had no dementia, but was depressed about his failing physical health, although remained at home and ambulant until his final admission to Concord Repat, as I still think of it – fantastic hospital.
I came home from mum yesterday exhausted, and decided to consult Dr Google about mum’s occipital lobe atrophy dementia.
It was actually really helpful. It was the same thing that Terry Pratchett (sadly) had.
It is atypical, and now I understand why she is high-functioning in many ways, but cannot look after herself in other basic ways. However, there is a good chance of keeping her at home bit longer, but I am getting a room at our place ready. She also wants to visit Ireland again, and I think this may be possible if COVID ever ends. Apparently the deterioration is not gradual, and can plateau fora long time, although it tex together worse in sudden steps.
If she had classic dementia, I would not be able to contemplate doing this next year.
Does anyone have experience with caring for someone with this? Apparently it is called posterior cortical atrophy (PCA). The geriatrician show me the scans, and explained some of the difficulties she was facing, but did not name the beast.
Simon Katich
The “secret” was out a year ago. Somehow Gladys missed the hot tip.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0275074020941721
Lars Von Trier @ #834 Sunday, July 11th, 2021 – 12:00 pm
Because you’d be in a world of pain.
One can learn the easy way or the hard way.
Gold standard Gladys politicised her aversion to lockdowns and NSW is learning the Victorian lesson the hard way and putting at risk the whole country.
One’s heart and best wishes go out to nsw under lockdown- even if for pure self-interest for the rest of us.
But the notion Gladys should be immune from criticism because she is fighting a pandemic is absurd.
The idea that Gladys can hide behind “following medical advice “ is equally absurd. She no doubt received responsible medical advice that set out the health risk reward parameters of taking, or not taking, various preventive steps.
It is common knowledge that many experts, such as the reasonable and respected Mary Louise mclaws was advocating for much tougher restrictions earlier. It is patently obvious Gladys gambled with our health and has lost.
Hoping that will come at a political price is neither surprising or ghoulish, though the motivation of the “now is not the right time” crowd (Lvt may take a bow) to attempt to avoid the criticism is obvious
That said, I totally get that if everyone else is already saying something, why repeat it? What’s wrong with only adding things to the discussion that aren’t being said?
‘poroti says:
Sunday, July 11, 2021 at 11:31 am
boerwar @ – 9:20 am
‘poroti says:
Sunday, July 11, 2021 at 7:53 am
Cud Chewer
In biological systems the ‘bleeding obvious’ is wRONg a surprising number of times.’
__________________________________________________
Hang on, hang on. I hope you are not dissing common sense?
Common sense has a problem with the friends it hangs out with. The likes of Alan Jones and Poorlene , to name just two, can’t stop talking about their mate good old ‘common sense’ .’
____________________________________
But only a couple of weeks ago Gladys was deploying common sense when doing the ‘please’ phase of the Clayton’s Lockdown.
The only way out of the continuing covid circle is vaccinations………and that is on the feds.
Lars Von Trier @ #3022 Sunday, July 11th, 2021 – 11:58 am
What “the health advice”? Certainly the AMA was loudly and clearly calling for an earlier and more serious response. When faced with the same outbreak at the same time, Queensland’s “the health advice” was to do an immediate lockdown, which they did to great effect. Ditto for NT. And Victoria has demonstrated multiple times now that quick, serious lockdowns are how you eliminate an outbreak. Including of Delta.
Why is NSW getting health advice that’s different from what every other state seems to be getting, and that doesn’t match observed reality in terms of eliminating covid? And why would following shitty, probably politically-motivated “health advice” be a valid excuse for Gladys? It’s not.
I think a very good point was made about the varying definition of “close family”, illustrating the different interpretation by different cultures. Perhaps “household” would have been more useful.
C@tmomma says:
Sunday, July 11, 2021 at 12:10 pm
Lars Von Trier @ #834 Sunday, July 11th, 2021 – 12:00 pm
zoomster says:
Sunday, July 11, 2021 at 11:55 am
Lars
Admitting you’re a troll?
Fair enough.
___________________
Sometimes I think its a shame stupid isn’t painful.
Because you’d be in a world of pain.
____________________
Whatever c@t.
Tell us one of your amazing coincidence stories again – you know how you nearly caught covid, how you were almost evacuated during the bushfires? etc etc
LVT
“People will make their own judgements about governments – but it seems pretty clear all the governments (Labor and Liberal) have done nothing more than follow the health advice they have been given.”
I really don’t think it’s that simple.
Why are different state governments getting such disparate “health advice” in response to comparable circumstances? When cases emerge, why do Labor state governments respond with short, sharp lockdowns straight away – whereas the LNP government in NSW decides to adopt a ‘wait-and-see’ approach?
Well we waited, and we now see what has happened: the virus has been running circles around us here in Sydney.
Griff @ #824 Sunday, July 11th, 2021 – 11:54 am
Exactly. It’s THE worst kind of Gaslighting. At THE worst possible time. For THE worst reasons.
I’d expect Gladys to announce an independent judicial inquiry next week into how this outbreak got to this level of infection and lockdown. The NSW people deserve some accountability.
a r
“Why is NSW getting health advice that’s different from what every other state seems to be getting, and that doesn’t match observed reality in terms of eliminating covid”
Essentially what I said – but better expressed by a r.