The fortnightly News24 Pulse poll from YouGov gives Labor its worst primary vote result from any poll this term, dropping one point to 24% with One Nation down one to 27%, the Coalition up two to 23% and the Greens down one to 14%. Labor and the Coalition are now tied on a two-party preferred measure based on 2025 election preference flows, after Labor led 52-48 last time. Labor’s respondent-allocated lead over One Nation is unchanged at 53-47.
Anthony Albanese is down one on approval to 32% and up one on disapproval to 62%, while Angus Taylor is up one to 35% and down two to 49%, and Pauline Hanson is steady at 50% and up two to 42%. Albanese’s leads of preferred prime minister nudges from 40-39 to 41-39 against Angus Taylor, and from 50-40 to 50-42 against Pauline Hanson (different movements are shown on the News24 site, but I believe mine are correct). The poll was conducted October 13 to 20 from a sample of 1542.
If Albanese is in trouble it’s not going to be in the next few weeks. I think you can plausibly argue that the dip in ALP support is due to the interest rate rise/ Trump. But if the ALP remains in the low 20s or lower by say mid December (and in addition does not gain from the Greens being in complete chaos) I think his leadership might be an open question.
With the ground shifting I think the ALP will soon start talking about AI doom (but also the hope of it). I don’t think any other party is seriously taking AI into account, and changing the conversation towards it might help the ALP recover over 2027.
I’d suggest everyone here to read AI2027 a paper about the worst case scenario (along with 2040 which is a more positive vision of the future) because it’s hard to explain how insane this all is.
https://ai-2027.com/
https://ai-2040.com/
Morning all. These are poor numbers for Labor and especially Albo. The former can be explained by inflation but the later is concerning. In terms of personal popularity, Albo is not Bob Hawke. I hope he realises that.
Albo got lucky to run into Liberal duds in Morrison and Dutton and now Taylor. But he is by nature cautious not inspiring.
There is no point panicking. Labor would still remain in (minority) government because the Liberal PV is so low and One Nation’s vote would splinter the opposition. But its not good.
Labor needs to get on with measures that would improve the economy long term and see how things improve after the US midterms. If Trump becomes a lame duck POTUS and an end to the Iran war is negotiated things might improve in 2027.
The French are always good for a Bona fide protest.
This current protest feels different.
Curfews imposed and troops have been called in.
The protests are spreading to other countries.
People are waking up to the reality that corporate greed has gone too far.
Add the fact that fuel costs are high, which is psssed onto the cost of food etc.
It doesn’t matter who is in govt. They are all beholden.
Hence why one nation is polling well in Australia.
But of course. They are not the answer.
Hanson and co are bought and paid for by the class that doesn’t give a stuff about improving the lives of everyone else.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-20/europe-protests-explained-as-demonstrations-grow/107285508
On things that will improve Australia’s economy long term, the Australia EU free trade deal should be at the top of the list. There is no excuse to not pass this.
The Liberals, Nationals and One Nation are only acting for their donors. The Greens are not making sense.
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/oct/21/australias-10bn-eu-trade-deal-has-stalled-again-what-is-it-and-whats-gone-wrong
I’m not sure AI or Trump are driving the calamitous decline in the the ALP PV. Surely CoL, housing/rent, and immigration are the issues? Plus negativity towards Albanese himself. I’ve reluctantly formed the view that he should retire, and give his successor plenty of time to bed in before the next election. I had thought that Jim Chalmers was the logical successor, but he looks and sounds lost now. I’d go with Mark Butler.
Albanese needs to go, not straight away but early next year. It should be on his own terms though, if his ego will allow it
A few comments here yesterday about his glass jaw. Accurate imo. He is coming across as another Rudd in some ways. Outside looking in of course, a bit of a control freak who thinks he knows best
If Scott was here he’d say Labor can win majority despite being at 24%
I don’t think they can but as Burnham has shown, a change of leader can turn things around. Has Labor here got an Andy Burnham though?
Note. If he is behind the dirt file on Haines, he is in BIG trouble
There are some sick, sick people out there and the internet gives them a place to congregate.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/helen-haines-attack-live-updates-brendan-nugent-facing-three-charges-over-alleged-intentional-attack-mp-for-indi-loses-leg-with-surgeons-trying-to-save-other-20261021-p6174q.html?post=p5bbm0&gb=1
The dirt files story on Albo and Haines is hard for me to believe because it comes from Peter van Oneselen. If it is true then yes, it would be damaging for Albo.
In a time of massive tech and energy change, the “poker machine” mentality of enough Australian, with “their slips showing”, are seeing deteriorating economic conditions, except that the reality is somewhat different.
What’s different that’s “cranking up” the deteriorating economic conditions?
Or cranking up “the angst”?
The “great dividing range” is no longer geographic!
Trump has created perhaps the greatest oil crisis and perhaps the last!
The transition away from carbon fuels is so far advanced there’s no return.
Johnnie Howard famously said that no one wants to see house prices fall!
And it didn’t happen in memory for the majority.
And now we are experiencing the fallout from an impossibly unstable bedrock of prosperity grown from rising house prices.
The fully superannuated boomers are the enjoying the benefits of a great policy.
The boomers previously known as “blue collar workers” aren’t as fortunate, not being fully “supered’.
The poor remain poor and are “saddled” with the “angst” and “insecurity” of their plight. They are not only “poor” but “garnished” daily with their plight, no “sauce” and embedded in a bad place.
The “rural” gentry, the latest beneficiary of enormous wealth from rising farmland values have have their “rugs pulled”.
Technology has “voided” the public/private schooling advantage.
For the “poker machine” Australian society, it’s become the fortune of the “machine” that is paying.
Find and support “that machine”.
If your not winning and winning substantially, you’re ‘going backwards”.
Albanese and Labor, as good a government as we had since WWII has been unable to provide enough “winning” to satisfy enough to maintain support.
While the voting public has just “gave up” on the expectations from LNP governments, state or federal.
Along come the Teals, providing hope for a very small cohort of “wealthy and green”!
The greatest “bandwagon” of hustlers, shyster, crooks, misfits and travelling salespeople, the ON/PHON/Hansonites have arrived, “joined at the hip” with the “flailing ” media ownership and desperate commentators, reporters and scribes have galloped into town, promising “the universal cure” for all the ills and ailments inflicting the poker machine” mentality .
The promises are legendary!
“crime will be outlawed” was one of the recent best!
The cohort that regard themselves as “desperate” is broad ranging and a very broadening and encompassing range of people willing to cast support for the most outlandish offers.
It can happen and can be seen across the world..
Just imagine if Australia had been at war for the last give years and Australia was depending on our “allies” from “Trumpland” and the identity formally known as “Great Britain”!
If a suggestion were made that Australians “have never had it so good “, the suggestion would be “howled down” and the perpetrator ‘purged” of any semblance of civility.
The Australian cricket team had better be ready for a shellacking from the public as the South Africans are delivering a shellacking on the field.
The often quoted term “the lucky country” has better be a truism because the “ill winds” may fully test its validity.
If Australia is such a bad place to be, why are so many from all parts of the globe desperate to “enlist”?
The polling and accompanying commentary suggests plenty of angst to come.
There doesn’t appear to be a “ceiling” at the moment.
Confessions it’s sickening, I heard an interview with Georgie Purcell earlier, AJP MP in Victoria, and she said a constituent who she knows said similar “it should have been you” or along those lines in a reply on social media
Also said the laws in Victoria mean it likely wouldn’t go anywhere if she tried to take it further
The system needs to change, it shouldn’t be allowed to happen. Noting lots of social media is a cesspit
Good morning, all.
All within the MOE, but still.
The single biggest vote-changing event, IMO, was Labor’s attempt at clawing back some middle class welfare.
This was promptly and thoroughly worked over several million times by way of social media. Pensioners cling to their troughs with great energy.
Main learnings:
Taylor and Hanson are quite happy to pretend that they support social security until they get in. It worked for Abbott. Time for a reprise.
Shoebridge showed that he was more interested in destroying Labor than in taking a principled stand on private health insurance. He is now a systematic blocker and wrecker in the Senate.
To the youngsters who are subsidizing Boomer health. Boomers Roolz! (So much for the Greens claims to be supporting young Australians!)
Those who argue that we don’t have to think about ON policies because we can totally discount the prospect of an ON government or an ON-Coalition Government are completely fooling themselves.
The vaginal prolapse joke was on Hanson all the time.
She can’t take a joke. Apparently.
She should lighten up.
Marles has to go as well. Sally Sara asked about the dirt file, his answer. Now isn’t the time…
Independent MP Monique Ryan says her office has had to go to the police over threats made to her in the days since the attack on Helen Haines.
“It’s a tragedy to say this, but what happened with Helen this week has brought out people,” she said.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-21/helen-haines-attack-live-updates/107290276
I’m sorry but what is the correlation between a supposed “dirt file” and the actions of Brendan Nugenr?
The stupidity burns.
Another pearler of a day in Melbourne town.
Rain forecast for weekend.
We really need it.
World News & Politics Patrol:
Kallas Says US Negotiators Tried to Push Ukraine Into Surrender for 1.5 Years: https://www.kyivpost.com/post/87647
Zelenskyy on Trump, Xi and Putin meeting: They have the right to meet, but not to discuss Ukraine without us: https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2026/10/20/8058978/
Lavrov Claims Peace Deal Would Mean End of Zelensky’s ‘Regime’: https://www.kyivpost.com/post/87638
Zelenskyy to join Norway talks, after which Trump’s envoy will fly to Moscow: https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2026/10/20/8058894/
Poland has no Patriot missiles left for Ukraine: https://kyivindependent.com/poland-has-no-patriot-missiles-left-for-ukraine-sikorski-says/
Russians locked out of bank accounts and apartments as Ukraine hits data centers: https://www.nbcnews.com/world/russia/russia-ukraine-yandex-data-centers-attacks-trump-rcna602753
Trump, 80, Wanders Off While Waving and Saluting to No One: https://newrepublic.com/post/216839/donald-trump-wanders-off-waving-saluting-no-one
Legal U.S. Resident Dies in ICE Detention: https://newrepublic.com/post/216846/green-card-holder-dies-ice-detention
Abdul El-Sayed had an easy response to ‘Tommy’s’ viral gotcha moment: the U.S. Constitution: https://www.ms.now/opinion/abdul-el-sayed-tommy-muslim-brotherhood-response
US officials are actively prepping states for Trump interference in the midterm elections: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-midterm-elections-interference-concerns-b3069936.html
Boost for Carney as Alberta votes overwhelmingly to remain part of Canada: https://www.businessday.co.za/world/americas/2026-10-20-boost-for-carney-as-alberta-votes-overwhelmingly-to-remain-part-of-canada/
Golly … as Gomer Pyle was want to proclaim.
A SkyNews poll, which another poster, this morning, suggested has a trend of under reporting the ALP vote, continues that trend.
A Helen Haines dirt file.
A beat-up from another Sky News / Murdoch hack.
All parties would compile a list of the voting records of their opponents, unlike The Greens Party who compile forty-seven page dirt files upon their own colleagues.
HBG
Well, now isn’t the time.
Haines is open to accusations of hyprocrisy when it comes to grey corruption. (I’ve frequently criticised her for this).
But now definitely isn’t the time to go into those.
The file wasn’t used. It had nothing to do with what happened to Haines.
Have a bit of decency and stop trying to make everything Labor’s fault.
It’s been a day and a half since the attack on Haines. By 3 3opm today it will all have been Albanese’s fault. We’re on track for it.
My read is:
– A discredited political “commentator” alleges there is a “dirt file” compiled withing the PMs office on Helen Haines.
– Therefore the PM has no right to empathise with Helen Haines or to call for people to behave better in the future
– Therefore we need to have an immediate elections so Pauline Hanson can become PM
I agree – the stupidity burns.
I don’t know what’s in the “dirt file” and can’t be bothered trying to find out but I suspect it would be something mild like “Helen Haines has advocated for things for her electorate and got them so what’s wrong with the PM doing the same?”
Thanks, Hh.
He did something similar the other day. Instead of stepping into the open door of his limo he wandered past the door and off into a paddock until rounded up by the Secret Service agents. He could be seen orating and waving to non-existent crowds as he was herded into the car.
IMO, Trump is now truly dangerous.
Trump is tossing US an $8 billion election bribe to US farmers to cover the costs of his Iran Fuckup.
Yeah David Crisafulli, Australian’s were so grateful about Josh Frydenberg he was turfed out of his own seat. Let’s call this out for what it is which is born to rule bullshit.
Frydenberg flew up from Melbourne to Sydney to exploit the Bondi tragedy for political gain. There’s nothing to be grateful about that.
“Australia would be a “grateful nation” if Josh Frydenberg returned to federal parliament Premier David Crisafulli has said.
Mr Crisafulli all but endorsed the former Treasurer having another tilt at the book launch of Mr Frydenberg’s memoir “A Grateful Son”, as he also called for a future Liberal Party to model themselves on his middle of the road government.
“In some capacity our nation needs people like Josh Frydenberg right now more than ever,” he said.
“And right now I think the decisions that he takes into his future will ensure that a grateful son will be welcomed by a grateful nation.”
https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/crisafulli-says-nation-would-be-grateful-but-frydenberg-coy-on-return-to-politics/news-story/39ed9a1fff8546b290712b0be6f9dd72
Australia could collect an extra $45b a year if it taxed surging resource profits better
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-21/resource-rents-prosper-australia-report-wealth-giveaway-2026/107283490
“Does the mineral wealth in our soil and beneath our ocean belong to Australians or to mining companies and their shareholders?
Prosper Australia, a tax reform think tank, says this country has a resource tax and royalty problem.
It estimates Australia is losing $45 billion a year in potential revenue because it is failing to collect more from the extractive mining and gas industries when commodity prices boom and profits surge.”
ajm
Yep.
And those on this blog creating the meme that it is diabolical, are not honest brokers.
As I said. The stupidity burns.
Josh Frydenberg is up near the top of my list of Gen Xers who never made a hard decision in his life.
Never had to and never did.
I think the 25th is in order for Donald Trump. Stat.
The Greens just gifted private health insurers $3 billion a year. That is real world stuff. It comes from Shoebridge acting as an unprincipled blocker and wrecker. Bully in the Senate. Bully in the Party Room.
I don’t think anyone is, or should be, blaming Albanese for what happened more so it’s about practicing what he preaches re taking the heat down. His glass jaw, exposed once again. He is sure to be asked about it today, the answer shouldn’t be that now isn’t the time.
Gen X, my generation, is a worry. Friends of mine complain about people playing the victim card but are the first to reach for it themselves. Especially middle class white men. Life is changing and they aren’t coping well with losing the power they perceived they would have
Social media, a huge part of the problem as well.
The heat definitely needs to come down, politics needs to change. The question is are the current politicians up to making that change?
Time to get to work, enjoy your day folks
#PlentyIn28
Labor and the Coalition are poised to take a reckless gamble on AI. Haven’t they realised community support has collapsed?
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/commentisfree/2026/oct/21/labor-coalition-poised-to-take-reckless-gamble-on-ai-joint-select-committee
“Australia’s major political parties are edging towards rare consensus. Labor and the Coalition increasingly want to take a major bet on artificial intelligence. Yet, just as the parties are coming together, the Australian community is running the other way.
Last year, only 30% of Australians believed the benefits of AI outweighed the risks. In 2026, community trust in AI appears to be falling even further.”
Boerwar
Trump is the quintessential Manchurian president.
It is not a Conspiracy theory.
Anyone who has observed Trump over the years, can see that clearly.
He is a treasonous traitor of the highest order. Of course, he is being enabled by those who he is doing the bidding for.
It’s beyond obvious
HBG
‘I don’t think anyone is, or should be, blaming Albanese for what happened more so it’s about practicing what he preaches re taking the heat down. His glass jaw, exposed once again.’
How is Albanese saying that the heat should be turned down NOT practising what he preaches?
He’s not asking people to get into a time machine and go back to before the attack and then change their behaviours.
He’s asking them – and thus himself – to do better from now on.
Vic
His dementia is accelerating and with it, his disinhibition. The frequency of delusional episodes is increasing. He is perpetually within easy reach of the nuclear football.
Is this the essence of it?
Albanese’ integrity is questioned after it’s revealed he procured a large grant of federal money for a golf club that is near one of his investment houses; Helen Haines is one of the questioners; Albanese’ office encourages media to question her integrity given that she sought a grant for a body in her electorate; immediately following the attack on her, in his address to the nation, Albanese speaks of her unquestioned integrity; and Hanson asserts that this reveals Albanese’ hypocrisy.
There’s no suggestion there’s a correlation between Albanese’ actions and Nugent’s attack.
@Arky
From the previous thread
Europe blew up it’s entire energy grid to support Ukraine in it’s defence against Russian aggression, but god forbid we sacrifice such a tiny part of our economy to oppose the literal destruction of a human society and culture.
I can’t remember ever hearing Albanese speak of or professing violence to any individual or group in Australia.
I’ve heard him call out such behaviour from other groups or organisations.
Did Angus Taylor, call out or condemn the comments made by Angie Bell towards the Prime Minister and Anne Ally, last week in Parliament?
I realise that the Noalition are playing the; “Let’s disrupt Question Time routine” again, and I believe that Speaker Dick is doing his utmost to prevent this deliberate tactic of chaos from succeeding.
However, rather than allow Angie Bell to withdraw, he should have immediately removed her from the chamber.
As it was her withdrawal was completely without remorse or courtesy.
Very funny story if you don’t like Trump
Inflation hits Trump merch
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2026/10/20/800115123/business-and-economy/inflation-hits-trump-merch/
Democrats lead by 5 points on generic ballot, 50% to 45%
Donald Trump’s job approval stands at 39% approve, 60% disapprove.
When asked what would improve cost of living, voters list ending the Iran war (74%) and cutting government spending (74%) most of all.
Majorities of Democrats (72%) and Republicans (58%) agree that if Republicans lose Congress, high costs will be the top reason why.
https://echeloninsights.com/insights/october-2026-verified-voter-omnibus
Rafikisays:
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 8:50 am
There’s no suggestion there’s a correlation between Albanese’ actions and Nugent’s attack.
___________________
No, Pauline Hanson is claiming there is a connection and is also the cause of all the threats to every other non-Labor politican in parliament.
Anyone currently using what’s happened to Haines to attack other politicians is raising the temperature.
What we need to re establish is the idea that MOST politicians are there to work for and represent their communities. MOST are not corrupt in any meaningful sense of the word. MOST are trying to do the best for our country, but simply have different ideas of what the best is or different ideas about how to achieve it.
If you don’t think that’s so, and that you’re purer than they are, put your hand up for the job.
It is, MOSTLY, a thankless task.
Also yes I’m not a practicing Greek Orthodox christian but I am fully aware of how the upbringing has influenced my worldview and I am mostly aligned with the morality of the religion. Secular contemporary records of Jesus do exist, so his existence is not really in dispute, outside of discussions of postmodern history (which do have value, not trying to slag it). The real deal is whether you believe he is an incarnation of God.
Neither of that is relevant, because the literary character of Jesus does exist, and he did promote a morality and lifestyle that is antithetical to the casual participation of evil.
Victoria
Protest/ violent protests are raging in 9 Europen countries.
Oil prices have risen by about 50% due to Ukraine and Iran. One caused by Putin and other caused by Trump.
But now, Trump and Putin are joined at the hip.
European leaders and people have to divert their resources to something, which they didn’t have to worry.
Bam! A lot of financial pain.