Nothing on voting intention, but there’s a bunch of polls around the place, the most useful from my perspective being the first fortnightly Essential Research survey of the year, as it includes the pollster’s monthly leadership ratings. Scott Morrison is at 46% on both approval and disapproval, respectively steady and up two since last month, which is the first time he has failed to record a net positive result since immediately before the onset of the pandemic in March 2020. Anthony Albanese is likewise equal on approval and disapproval, in his case at 39%, with approval down one and disapproval up three. Morrison’s lead as preferred prime minister is at 42-34, in from 42-31 last month and likewise his weakest result since March 2020.
There’s more bad news for Morrison on COVID-19 management, with the federal government recording a net negative result for the first time, its positive rating down six to 35% and negative up six to 38%. There has also been a sharp decline in the positive ratings for every state government except Victoria, most noticeably in the case of Western Australia, where the positive rating is down twelve to a new low of 66%. This remains nineteen points higher than nearest rival Victoria, up four points to 47%. New South Wales is down seventeen to 37%, now the lowest of the five, with Queensland down eleven to 46% and South Australia down fourteen to 43%. The results for the smaller states especially should, as always, be treated with caution here, but the near-uniformity of the sharp downward turn is impressive.
Respondents were also asked if various matters related to COVID-19 were likely to influence their chances of voting Coalition, an exercise I’m dubious about since it’s clear that many party loyalists respond without regard to the fact that their vote choice isn’t in doubt. For what it’s worth, 37% rated themselves less likely on account of Scott Morrison’s recent performance and 19% more likely; 30% and 15% ditto because of recent case numbers; 38% and 12% because of the shortage of rapid antigen tests (note the perversity of being more likely to vote Coalition on this basis); 22% and 19% because of reduced border restrictions; and, in the one net positive result, 23% and 27% for the Novak Djokovic affair.
The poll also finds 37% believe the choices of those who wish not to be vaccinated should be respected versus 63% who don’t, of whom 41% consider the unvaccinated ill-informed and 22% selfish. It was conducted Thursday to Sunday from a sample of 1062.
Various other polling around the place:
• A poll by Painted Dog Research for The West Australian recorded a 71-29 split in favour of the McGowan government’s indefinite postponement of the reopening of the state’s border. Respondents were also offered a poorly framed question as to whether they “agree the McGowan government could have done more to prepare to open up on February 5”, to which 51% agreed and 29% at least purported to disagree, notwithstanding the obvious absurdity of such a position. The poll had a sample of 637 Western Australian respondents; no field work date was provided, though obviously it was done after Thursday’s announcement.
• YouGov has conducted a poll for the News Corp tabloids that covers an extensive range of issues, but not voting intention, results for which are seemingly being published bit by bit (the full questionnaire is here). There have been two reports from this that I’m aware of, one dealing with state government COVID-19 management. Thirty-five per cent of New South Wales respondents rated their government’s performance positively, 28% neutrally and 34% negatively; Victorians, 42%, 21% and 36%; Queenslanders, 61%, 20% and 19%; Western Australians, 85% positively, 6% neutrally and 8% negatively; South Australians, 48%, 29% and 21%; and Tasmanians, 65%, 21% and 11%. Another report related results on election issue salience, in which respondents were asked to pick two issues out of eight, with 58% choosing cost of living, ahead of 37% for health care, 34% for the economy and 32% for climate change. The poll was conducted December 27 to January 10 from an overall sample of 2297, with state sub-samples ranging from 257 in Tasmania to 507 in New South Wales.
• The Conversation reports on a Deakin Contemporary History Survey of “a representative, random sample of more than 5,000 Australians” finding that 60% overall believe the current date of Australia Day should be maintained, but with a clear age effect in which 53% of those born 1986 or later felt otherwise, with 46% favouring no change.
• According to an AAP report, a CoreData survey of 1292 respondents finds more than 80% of those under 26 and more than 70% of those aged 27 to 41 “support moving the date for the sake of improving relations with the Indigenous population” – a formulation that presumably elicits a more favourable response – which plummeted to “just over 30%” among the 56 to 75 cohort and 25% of those over 75. All that’s revealed of those of in the middle is that “the majority still supported keeping the holiday on its current date”.
• A Roy Morgan SMS poll of 1372 respondents posed the not-all-that-useful-to-my-mind question as to whether as to whether January 26 should be identified as Australia Day or Invasion Day, breaking 65-35 in favour of the former. Cross-tabs here if you’re interested.
Roy Orbison @ #1684 Sunday, January 30th, 2022 – 5:46 pm
Organically grown pumpkins, of course!
Seriously, what does he think this achieves?
It just reinforces he is a nothing man. He actually isn’t doing anything. Does he have any awareness at all?
Organic food tastes so much better and any study you care to look at shows how the nutrition of organic food is far superior to it’s industrial cousin.
“It’s a thought bubble that Mr Albanese has come up with and Australians deserve detailed focused policies such as what the government is doing,” Mr Birmingham said.
The cost of technology to the budget that hasn’t even been invented yet, much, Simon?
Is the PBO even open on a Sunday, or was that just some envelope the Liberals calculated the cost of the RAT supply on?
Actually that place should have any funding cut given they have allowed a total imbecile to touch a native animal.
C@tmomma @ #1698 Sunday, January 30th, 2022 – 5:07 pm
Matthew. Last claim to fame was as a pro-Assange hunger striker chained to Tanya Plibersek’s EO in 2020.
https://cityhubsydney.com.au/2020/11/hungry-for-justice/
”
nathsays:
Sunday, January 30, 2022 at 1:02 pm
Terrible thing to term the working people of Australia as peasants.
”
As Pru Goward said is “Harnessed Proles” or just “Proles” ok because I don’t remember you found that objectionable. If you objected can you provide reference.
BTW, I find neither Peasants nor Proles ok.
sheesh… eng collapse in a heap, 9 down with 2 overs to go and 13 to win – #11 blocks it out a la Jimmy
Poms totally bottled it from a comfortable winning position, but what a great effort from the Aussies to keep pressure on and almost pinch it
by far the test of the summer!
Expat Follower @ #1708 Sunday, January 30th, 2022 – 6:17 pm
fantastic game had everything
Except, of course, a review of the scientific literature concluded:
‘The published literature lacks strong evidence that organic foods are significantly more nutritious than conventional foods.’
https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/0003-4819-157-5-201209040-00007?articleid=1355685
Isle of Rocks @ #1707 Sunday, January 30th, 2022 – 6:15 pm
They’re a weird bunch the Drake-Brockmans. 🙂
Thanks for that.
Great game of cricket
ROFL! He made sure he had a comfortable armchair to sit on while he went on his hunger strike. 😆
zoomster @ #1711 Sunday, January 30th, 2022 – 6:19 pm
It is a Greens’ pumpkin. So, all about the symbolism!
alfred venison says:
Sunday, January 30, 2022 at 5:26 pm
i think the greens actually already support high speed rail, for the record. -a.v.
They will find some reason to vote against it…trains too slow/trains too fast/trains too cheap/trains too expensive/too many tunnels/not enough tunnels….trains made of steel/ trains not made of steel….they will find a reason to oppose the particular HSR proposed by Labor while supporting HSR in theory.
zoomster says:
Sunday, January 30, 2022 at 6:19 pm
Except, of course, a review of the scientific literature concluded:
‘The published literature lacks strong evidence that organic foods are significantly more nutritious than conventional foods.’
____________
zoomster, there are many more studies that conclude otherwise. But I’m happy for you to continue eating processed foods and ignoring organic foods. Please continue. It’s done you wonders I’m sure.
Hooray! David Rowe is back after a five weeks break.
It’s not all or nothing, nath.
You can eat perfectly good fruit and vegies which aren’t organic.
Clue: a plant doesn’t know the difference between a chemical from a factory and a chemical from organic matter. It needs the chemicals it needs and it doesn’t mind where they come from.
I’m speculating which poor native animal he’ll turn his attention to next.
I suppose if you don’t mind a few nasties in your fruit and veg. Go ahead.
However, reviews of multiple studies show that organic varieties do provide significantly greater levels of vitamin C, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus than non-organic varieties of the same foods. While being higher in these nutrients, they are also significantly lower in nitrates and pesticide residues.
Since the disgraced and crazy CC isn’t around to talk to us all about HSR for the thousandth time, allow me to fill you guys in on the Greens actual position instead. Unsurprisingly, it’s very different to the line being pushed by the usual suspects from the Labor Right…
HIGH SPEED RAIL
BENEFITS THAT ADD UP
A report for the Australian Greens
Foreword
Imagine getting on a train in the centre of Melbourne and arriving in the centre of Sydney just three
hours later. Along the way you will have access to the internet, can use your mobile phone, move
freely around the carriages and dine in a restaurant or café.
Regional towns on the outskirts of our great cities will be less than an hour away, transforming their
role as economic centres.
Imagine a mass transit long distance transportation system that can be powered by clean and
renewable energy and that reduces the impact of pollution and car travel on our cities and country.
This is the promise of high speed rail and after many decades of discussion and delay the time for
high speed rail has finally arrived.
The Agreement that the Greens made to support the Gillard minority government included a
commitment to conduct a study into high speed rail. The first phase of the study has been
completed and the second phase report will be released before the end of the year. It will include
options on the financial mechanisms for making high speed rail a reality.
This report is an important precursor to that second phase study because while there has been much
discussion of the financial costs of high speed rail, there has been little discussion about the financial
benefits. The report shows that over 30 years the benefits make up over half the cost of high speed
rail. The report examines some of those benefits and highlights the financial advantages that will
come when we catch up with the rest of the world and invest in the future of transportation in the
21st century.
Adam Bandt MP
Deputy Leader, Australian Greens
Member for Melbourne
Report: https://adam-bandt.greensmps.org.au/sites/default/files/hsrbenefitsreport.pdf
The Greens lead, they follow.
The sub-plot is the factional battle in NSW between Kean’s Moderates and Morrison – who wants to put his stooges into the seats and dud the rank and file, let alone the deal Kean has with Perrotet’s Religious Right to share spoils.
So Kean has no qualms in smacking ScoMo’s backside… but will it wipe the smirk off his face?
The NSW Treasurer has slammed Scott Morrison for being ‘nowhere to be found’ as a $1billion financial support package is announced for struggling businesses hard-hit by the latest Omicron outbreak.
Matt Kean criticised the prime minister for refusing to ‘step up’ as the new variant impacted the lives of millions during a Covid press conference on Sunday.
‘I’m very disappointed, I was hoping to make this announcement today standing beside the prime minister and treasurer Frydenberg but they’re not to be found,’ the treasurer told reporters.
‘These are not just NSW businesses, they’re Australian businesses, businesses that pay their taxes to the Commonwealth government, businesses that are doing it so tough at this time.
‘What we want to see, is rather than the Commonwealth government stepping aside, we want to see the government stepping in, like the NSW government is doing to support small businesses and in doing so supporting our national economy.
‘I hope the Commonwealth government steps up to help NSW small businesses and small businesses across the country, because it’s in our national economic interest.’
The extraordinary attack – from a member of Morrison’s own party – came as it was announced NSW small businesses would be reimbursed for losses over summer.
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/nsw-treasurer-blasts-scott-morrison-for-refusing-to-step-up/ar-AAThG9x?ocid=st
What happened to the English women’s cricket team today is an omen of what will happen to Labor at the federal election.
I seldom eat inorganic materials. The solids make my tummy grate. The liquids tend to make me feel like a tank. The gases are too hard to swallow. They make me gulp.
David Rowe… why the “Hot” Leppington Triangles reference?
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has expressed his disappointment with a deal that saw taxpayers hand over $33 million for a piece of land near the western Sydney airport later valued at just $3 million.
The Auditor-General last week found Infrastructure Department officers acted unethically in setting up the 2018 deal and concealed information from their superiors and minister, including that the Commonwealth would be paying 22 times more per hectare than the NSW government paid for its portion of the same land.
@Lizzie says:
Sunday, January 30, 2022 at 6:31 pm
I’m speculating which poor native animal he’ll turn his attention to next.
_______________
Dont worry, looks like Jen was there to make sure he didnt look too phoney. I reckon the Koala was knocked out as SfM needed so many takes to get the perfect “candid” photo.
Methinks he was channeling the South Park – “i’ll just stick my finger in its buthole” version of Steve Irwin
We still have yet to find exactly what the Waterhouses, who owned a significant holding in proximity to the Leppington Triangle, were wanting to have doors opened for them by GladysB’s boyfriend – Daryl Maguire.
Shonks and spivs, masquerading as property developers, are at most risk if the NSW Liberals are fenustrated.
One thing Cud would agree with is organic food has a fraction of the benefits of a pure vegan diet.
nath
I’ve supplied a link – which is to a review of ‘multiple studies’ – and you haven’t.
I’m assuming that’s because you can’t support your statements with actual facts.
I grow some of my own veggies, because that way I can get superior tasting produce – not because it’s organic but because I can grow varieties which aren’t suitable for the supermarket. And I do grow organically, but that’s because I’ve got plenty of chook and horse manure.
I’ll occasionally spray with a pesticide, because I like my plants to live, and I’ll happily use Round Up to clean up the weeds.
Testing organic produce against ‘non organic’ (what’s it made of then? Plastic?) is fraught, because most organic growers plant different varieties to the commercial ones, and that in itself creates differences in taste and nutrition.
Morrison stunts. (I reckon he’s made “stunts” into a verb.) Trying to be serious though, Morrison’s appearances appear to be an attempt to burnish his “everyman” image. Morrison IS us. He’s not even subtle about it. The problem is that he’s not actually very good at this. It’s obvious that he is flitting from one photography studio to another. The lasting impression, one of them at any rate, is that the entire nation is his plaything, all of us. He can do what he likes, where he likes, to whom he likes, whenever he likes. (I’m sure “how he likes” is in there somewhere.) We are his collective toys. And he is a child.
”
C@tmommasays:
Sunday, January 30, 2022 at 12:28 pm
I can imagine the backroom plotting just has to be a turn-off.
It can be. However, politics isn’t for the faint-hearted and if you back yourself, and prove your worth, you usually prevail.
”
“Prove your worth”. I don’t agree with you on that. It is not necessarily true always in politics. We currently have many examples in politics.
Interesting that Brian Houston is ‘stepping aside from all ministerial duties on lawyer’s advice’ for the rest of 2022.
Perhaps ScoMo could co-opt him onto his crack RE-election team?
zoomster says:
Sunday, January 30, 2022 at 6:46 pm
nath
I’ve supplied a link – which is to a review of ‘multiple studies’ – and you haven’t.
I’m assuming that’s because you can’t support your statements with actual facts.
____________________
There are many studies but I won’t bother to list them. Enjoy your pesticides as you waddle around!
And if you are using roundup on anything near what you eat then you are more stupid than I thought.
Morrison’s mentor says..
In a statement made on Sunday, Houston said he made the decision after consulting with the church’s leadership and legal counsel.
“The Hillsong Global Board feel it is in my and the church’s best interest for this to happen, so I have agreed to step aside from all ministry responsibilities until the end of the year.
“The court case I am facing is related to circumstances surrounding my father, and I need to be fully committed to preparation and engagement with the case and work closely with my lawyers in defending this charge.
“I have said, including in a prior statement, that I intend to fight the charge and welcome the opportunity to set the record straight.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/30/hillsong-founder-brian-houston-steps-down-as-leader-of-church
Organic vegetables, an odd hill for nath to die on?
Firefox @ #1723 Sunday, January 30th, 2022 – 6:34 pm
Unmitigated horseshit. The economic case for HSR replacing intercity air transport simply does not stand up. Contrary to Farcefox’s blather, CC has produced a carefully reasoned, absolutely solid, detailed proposal. It sets out a completely doable, economically sound scheme for VFT (Very Fast Trains) within Sydney, plus HSR north to Newcastle and south to Wollongong. I have the document.
CudChewer has an Honours degree in Engineering, and many years of highly relevant experience.
You, Farcefox, have no relevant knowledge or experience, and do not possess the mental furniture to even begin to understand the nature of the problem. Likewise Bandt. You have already embarrassed yourself. CC is worth any number of you. You are just piss and wind, signifying nothing at all. Your only revealed ‘skill’ is in posting irrelevant press releases.
I wonder how just how ‘over’ people are of these daily stunts from the Marketer in Chief notice though he has ditched the stupid aussie flag mask.
It is expected in a Campaign to dress up like Sailor/Construction worker/Policeman/Bikie/Cowboy/Native American and it has a pretty good novelty value to see how comfortable/uncomfortable they are. But FFS, every day? This forever campaign has been going in ernest since December and must be wearing very thin. Honesty I woundnt be surprised that people will be so sick of seeing the stunt man by polling day.
One thing for certain is the campaign is or will be all “Brand Morrison” with the associated lack of substance. No doubt the poor run of polls and PPM numbers have precipitated the advertising boost.
The ad folk talk about toxic brands and associated negative returns and I expect that is were Brand Morrison is heading, if not already there.
The one to watch for!
https://www.livemint.com/science/news/stealth-omicron-ba-2-spread-faster-than-ba-1-but-there-s-a-catch-uk-study-read-here-11643465649171.html
As per UKHSA, contact tracing data showed transmission is likely to be higher among contacts of BA.2 cases in households at around 13.4% than those for contacts of other Omicron cases at 10.3%.
“We now know that BA.2 has an increased growth rate which can be seen in all regions in England. We have also learnt that BA.2 has a slightly higher secondary attack rate than BA.1 in households,” said Dr Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Advisor for UKHSA.
“Although hospitalisations and deaths remain low, cases are still high in some areas and some age groups so it’s important that we continue to act cautiously as restrictions are lifted,” she said.
————————————-
After two doses, vaccine effectiveness was 9% and 13% respectively for BA.1 and BA.2, after 25 weeks. This increased to 63% for BA.1 and 70% for BA.2 at 2 weeks following a third vaccine.
————————————-
The UKHSA said its findings suggest the current wave of Omicron infections is unlikely to lead to a major surge in severe disease in care home populations with high levels of vaccine coverage and/or natural immunity.
Expert around the world suggests that BA.2 strain has been found in more than 50 countries. The mutant appears much more common in Asia and Europe. In Denmark, it has spread quickly and become the dominant variant.
USA infecting the world! By using their Army!
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/01/28/national/us-military-covid-restrictions/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR0Xds-3UqRVnErdQPNgsriKH0bBbHvEp9HMeJdbAfoUhdH_jcEZyQ3PubE#Echobox=1643528757
U.S. Forces Japan will lift COVID-19 restrictions on activities outside bases in Japan at the end of this month as scheduled, the Foreign Ministry said Friday.
The restrictive measures, such as limiting the movement of U.S. military personnel outside military facilities to essential activities and a curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., will end Monday, but the obligation to wear a mask on and off base will be maintained, according to the ministry.
The measures were introduced on Jan. 10 following a surge in coronavirus cases among U.S. military personnel in prefectures such as Okinawa and Yamaguchi that host U.S. military bases, on the back of the rapid spread of the highly contagious omicron variant.
sprocket_ says:
Sunday, January 30, 2022 at 7:01 pm
Interesting that Brian Houston is ‘stepping aside from all ministerial duties on lawyer’s advice’ for the rest of 2022.
Perhaps ScoMo could co-opt him onto his crack RE-election team?
____________________
Maybe for spiritual advice or to search for those eagles
I have the impression Scotty from Stunts re-election team is him, a dozen media/PR/stylist/photographers and a few low level staffers whose only job is to say “great idea PM”
I think it’s time for ScottyFromMarketing to go swimming with sharks.
Have been crying all afternoon since Nath’s cruel comment about me and Bubsy.
Yes, there were performances for various friends and neighbours. But I totally reject the assertion that I forced Bubsy to participate.
Let me just say this… That bird had a mind of his own, and if he didn’t want to put a show on for the neighbourhood kiddies, he’d just sit in his cage, defiant.
Anyway, life goes on, but it’s taken me all afternoon to get my strength back after Nath’s totally uncalled-for snark. But I’ll get over it. Nath isn’t going to ruin my whole day.
Bastard.
News Poll diese nacht?
sprocket_ @ #1738 Sunday, January 30th, 2022 – 7:04 pm
He’ll find a new one tomorrow. 😐
Lizzie @ #1744 Sunday, January 30th, 2022 – 7:13 pm
He jumped the shark years ago.
Morrison’s next photo opportunity – is he game?
Bushfire
Most of us understand how much effort you dedicated to keeping Bubsy happy. Ignore nasty nath. He’s probably the sort who pulled wings off flies.
@citizen
Dunno mate, that looks like Country Party territory better send Barnaby Joyce after a dozen stubbies.