Australian conservatives headed for big election defeat - Newspoll

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

FEBRUARY 10, 2019 / 4:54 PM / UPDATED AN HOUR AGO
3 MIN READ

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Australia’s conservative government is facing a huge electoral defeat as it heads into the final sitting of parliament ahead of a national election expected in May, a widely watched poll found on Monday.


A Newspoll for The Australian newspaper showed opposition Labor retained a lead of 53 percent to 47 percent over the Liberal-National government led by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, unchanged from the previous poll in December, despite recent efforts to frighten voters on Labor’s tax plans.

Morrison’s own approval rating gained 2 points, however, against Labor leader Bill Shorten, climbing to 44 percent from 35 percent.

The poll came out as parliament returns this week from its summer break, with the minority government facing defeat on two issues due on the floor as it is dependent on seven independents to vote with it.

The government is looking to block a bid, led by an independent, to allow asylum seekers in offshore camps to come to Australia for medical treatment, saying migrants could exploit it as a way into the country.

Read more: https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-australia-politics/australian-conservatives-headed-for-big-election-defeat-newspoll-idUKKCN1PZ0QK?rpc=401&

[yaesu]

1. If this means Australia is becoming less conservative that's good. nt

[TeamPooka]

5. yes, they also need to address their draconian anti-cannabis laws.

[canetoad]

6. Yep

And the universal health care, the paper ballots ...oh wait.

[msongs]

2. 6 percent is a huge defeat? margin of error brings it down to 3.5 percent nt

[Sanity Claws]

3. MOE could also make it 8.5%

MOE just means it could be as little as 3.5%
Remember it can be used in the other direction too.

[NickB79]

4. Does this have anything to do with climate change cooking their nation?

[NotHardly]

7. You mean science facts over irrational 'beliefs'... yeah, I'm betting you are right.

[not fooled]

8. Waking up

from their murdoch-induced stupor?

[Aussie105]

9. Us Australians

have a long memory.

Any political party that can't even have stability in it's leadership team doesn't stand a chance in the next election. Knife your leader, and you are doomed come election time.

The two groups are so similar (*), that a change of party in power has zero effect on the average person.

(*) Unlike America, where one group is a money hungry tribe of entitled old white males, and the other tries to act human.