Latest Newspoll: 30 October 2007

Newspoll released its latest polling this morning. Labor stands at 54% and the Coalition at 46% on a two-party preferred count.

According to Possum Pollytics fluctuations in the minor party vote estimates are a factor in the volatility of the two-party preferred figures over the last 10 months.

There is scant good news in this latest poll for either the Libs or Nats, as Labor continues to hold a fairly steady lead on both primary and TTP points.

Most political commentators are saying that the Howard team will still lose badly come November 24.

Over the next couple of weeks we can confidently expect that more money will be thrown at the electorate by John Howard as he tries to buy more votes to improve his chance of re-election.

Campaign Day 16

Every time I turn on the tellie there's Sue Page telling me that the Nationals team will 'get the balance right between the environment, development and tourism'.

Er, Sue - wouldn't you have to be in local government to have a genuine stab at this?

Or are you signalling that the Nationals intend a putsch against North Coast councils?

John Howard, the I-never-said-it-I-didn't-promise-it-wasn't-me Prime Minister

During the first three weeks of this election campaign John Howard has clearly demonstrated that he finds it impossible to own up to past mistakes and take responsibility for the results of his own actions.

 

This reached the far heights of absurdity when he repeatedly sought to rewrite the history of his interest rates promise at the 2004 election and when he attempted a clumsy duck 'n' weave over that Kyoto question.

 

Howard's non-core promises have become a bitter joke for many Australians. His former election policy platforms are littered with broken promises.

 

So perhaps it is time to recall his victory speeches from past years to decide if he lived up to the words and spirit of his expressed sentiments.

 

Here's a sample from the 9 October 2004 election victory speech:

"To be the prime minister of Australia is undoubtedly the greatest privilege that can come the way of any person. I will never forget, I will never loss contact with, I'll never misunderstand the nature of the honour and the privilege that's been given to me."

 

To judge for yourself trawl through other campaign transcripts at:

http://soapbox.unimelb.edu.au/index.html

Are some MPs trying to make a little on the side?

A report out of West Australia alleges that MPs are betting on the November federal election results.

News.com.au article:
 http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22651464-1702,00.html

 

While in South Australia the Coalition shows that it is not just Cabinet solidarity which is fraying at the edges.

The Murray Valley Standard article:

http://murraybridge.yourguide.com.au/news/local/political/national-party-refutes-coalition-candidate-claim/1076002.html

 

This is a l-o-n-g election campaign. Obviously wearing on candidates and stretching the tolerance of voters.

Chris Gulaptis gets serve from local voter

Letter to the Editor in The Daily Examiner today.

 

"Campaign

 

INTO my mailbox last week came a letter that made me wish the election were on tomorrow.

  The Nationals candidate for Page (Casino and Lismore, Ballina, Grafton and all the towns in between) writes that he offers a 'country focus'.

  But I ask him, after 11 years in office where is the completed Pacific Highway, where is the funding for rural education and decent health and dental services?

  The Nationals candidate for Page writes that he will focus on water but his party said it will dam the Clarence.

  His glossy green and gold brochure explains that we should look forward to a Howard/Vaile team but we all know that we will have a Costello.

  This Nationals man goes on to vilify unions, but they are the only group uniquely organised to combat the excesses of the National's extreme WorkChoices legislation.

  He tells me that young people will get better services.

  A trip to Iran perhaps?

  Why would anyone vote for Mr. Howard and the Nationals?

  Oh yes that's right...they'll keep interest rates down.

 

 PETER LANYON

 Lillian Rock"