In the last week, Australia was flooded or burned, Gillard called an election 9 months ahead, two of her highest ranking party members said they would quit, Gillard cut down a long serving senator to pop in her “captains pick” candidate, and one of her former party members was arrested with 150 charges to be laid. Labor is back to the polling territory it spent most of last year at — a 32% primary vote and the Greens at 9%. But these polls are swinging wildly.
I can’t think why Gillard likes this uncertainty, and doesn’t call an election immediately…
The poll puts Labor’s primary support at 32 per cent – a wipeout of the six-point gain recorded between December and January – as the Coalition’s support rose four percentage points to 48 per cent in the past three weeks.
With the Greens steady on 9 per cent and “others” going from 9 per cent to 11 per cent since the poll in January, the two-party-preferred figure has the Coalition back with a huge election-winning lead of 56 per cent to 44 per cent.
Ms Gillard’s support as preferred prime minister fell four percentage points from 45 per cent to 41 per cent, while Mr Abbott’s support rose six points from 33 per cent to 39 per cent.
Two quitting Labor Stars
Senator Evans was the Minister responsible for the ARC (Australian Research Council) — which dished out of millions of dollars to scientists who think “ten” is a big number, and that people who don’t love monstrous nanny-state governments are mad. Ms Roxon, meanwhile, thought insults should be illegal and that the threat of tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees wouldn’t stop Australians from speaking freely. To paraphrase: “It’s not designed to silence people”. Of course.
As a reward for their diligent, astute judgement, and vigilant service to Australia it’s noteworthy that according to The Australian, “Senator Evans will retire on a pension of $259,000 a year, with Ms Roxon on $235,000.”
UPDATE: Not-another-downfall-video. Oh yes. (Ouch!).
…