The Australian Greens are third with seven per cent. Australia’s preferential voting system—where electors indicate an order of predilection for each contender, and the ballots from smaller parties are re-distributed—gives the ALP a 14-point lead over the Coalition.

In the October 2004 election, John Howard was rewarded with a fourth term in office, as the Coalition secured 87 seats in the House of Representatives. The ALP—led by Mark Latham—elected 60 lawmakers. In December 2006, foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd became the new leader of the ALP, defeating Kim Beazley in an internal caucus ballot.

On Nov. 21, Rudd criticized the current government’s industrial relations legislation, saying, "The history of the Howard government is so much a history of a wasted mandate. I barely walk through a shopping centre in Australia without people telling me about the impact WorkChoices is having on their lives. Mr. Howard these days treats working people as economic commodities."

The legislative election is scheduled for Nov. 24.

Polling Data

What party would you vote for in the next parliamentary election?

Source: AC Nielsen / The Sydney Morning Herald
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 2,071 Australian voters, conducted from Nov. 19 to Nov. 21, 2007. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.

The Coalition is second with 41 per cent, followed by the Australian Greens with seven per cent. Australia’s preferential voting system—where electors indicate an order of predilection for each contender, and the ballots from smaller parties are re-distributed—gives the ALP an eight-point lead over the Coalition.

When asked which political party they think will win the election, 62 per cent of respondents select the ALP, while 24 per cent mention the Coalition.

In the October 2004 election, John Howard was rewarded with a fourth term in office, as the Coalition secured 87 seats in the House of Representatives. The ALP—led by Mark Latham—elected 60 lawmakers. In December 2006, foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd became the new leader of the ALP, defeating Kim Beazley in an internal caucus ballot.

On Nov. 19, Howard expressed confidence in the Coalition’s chances, saying, "Yes, I believe we can win this election. I go into this last week very positive. (…) I believe that as we get closer to the election, people will focus on one simple question: who is better able to manage this $1.1 trillion economy?"

A legislative election is scheduled for Nov. 24.

Polling Data

If a federal election to the House of Representatives were held today, which one of the following would you vote for? If "Uncommitted", to which one of these do you have a leaning?

Which political party do you think will win the federal election to be held next Saturday, the 24th of November?

Source: Newspoll / The Australian
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,696 Australian voters, conducted from Nov. 16 to Nov. 18, 2007. Margin of error is 3 per cent.

The Australian Greens are third with eight per cent. Support is lower for the Australian Democrats, Family First, and One Nation. Australia’s preferential voting system—where electors indicate an order of predilection for each contender, and the ballots from smaller parties are re-distributed—gives the ALP an eight-point lead over the Coalition.

In the October 2004 election, Howard was rewarded with a fourth term in office, as the Coalition secured 87 seats in the House of Representatives. The ALP—led by Mark Latham—elected 60 lawmakers. In December 2006, foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd became the new leader of the ALP, defeating Kim Beazley in an internal caucus ballot.

In 1998, several countries agreed to the Kyoto Protocol, a proposed amendment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The agreement commits nations to reduce their emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Australia has not ratified the Kyoto Protocol.

Yesterday, Rudd vowed to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, adding, "I want to simply demonstrate that we have gone from outside the tent to inside the tent, I think it is important to make that statement." Howard disagreed with Rudd’s promise, saying, "The world is not coming to an end tomorrow. Like all of these things we have to get a common sense, balanced approach. You need a new international agreement that includes countries like China."

A legislative election is scheduled for Nov. 24.

Polling Data

What party would you vote for in the next election to the House of Representatives?

Two-Party Preferred Vote

Source: Roy Morgan International
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,670 Australian voters, conducted from Nov. 15 to Nov. 17, 2007. No margin of error was provided.

The governing Coalition of Liberals and Nationals is second with 43 per cent, up three points since last month. The Australian Greens are a distant third with six per cent. Australia’s preferential voting system—where electors indicate an order of predilection for each contender, and the ballots from smaller parties are re-distributed—gives the ALP an eight-point lead over the Coalition.

In the October 2004 election, Howard was rewarded with a fourth term in office, as the Coalition secured 87 seats in the House of Representatives. The ALP—led by Mark Latham—elected 60 lawmakers. In December 2006, foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd became the new leader of the ALP, defeating Kim Beazley in an internal caucus ballot.

On Nov. 15, education minister Julie Bishop said a Coalition government would appoint a panel of experts to write curriculum guides for the country’s schools in order to make sure important subjects like English, math and sciences do not fall prey to temporary fads.

ALP education spokesman Stephen Smith said his party agrees with the need for a national curriculum, but criticized the minister’s idea, saying school curricula should be created by an independent body with diverse members and "should not be written by members of parliament, whether it’s me, John Howard or Julie Bishop."

The legislative election is scheduled for Nov. 24.

Polling Data

What party would you vote for in the next parliamentary election?

Two-Party Preferred Vote

Source: AC Nielsen / The Sydney Morning Herald
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,465 Australian voters, conducted from Nov. 6 to Nov. 12, 2007. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.

In the October 2004 election, Howard was rewarded with a fourth term in office, as the Coalition of Liberals and Nationals secured 87 seats in the House of Representatives. The Australian Labor Party (ALP)—led by Mark Latham—elected 60 lawmakers.

In December 2006, foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd became the new leader of the ALP, defeating Kim Beazley in an internal caucus ballot. 62 per cent of respondents are satisfied with Rudd’s performance as leader of the opposition. In the preferred prime minister category, 48 per cent of respondents pick Rudd, while 40 per cent prefer Howard.

On Nov. 14, Rudd announced his plan to provide school computers to Australian students—regardless of whether they are enrolled in a public, independent or Catholic school—saying, "I want to provide every secondary school student with the foundations to move into the digital economy of the future. After 11 years, Mr. Howard has become stuck in the past. Mr. Howard seems to believe that providing our young people with computers is exotic. Mr. Howard just doesn’t get it. Around the rest of the world, providing young people with computers isn’t exotic, it’s mainstream."

A legislative election is scheduled for Nov. 24.

Polling Data

Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way John Howard is doing his job as prime minister?

Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way Kevin Rudd is doing his job as leader of the opposition?

Who do you think would make the better prime minister?

Source: Newspoll / The Australian
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,694 Australian voters, conducted from Nov. 9 to Nov. 11, 2007. Margin of error is 3 per cent.

The ALP has gained a point in a week, while the Coalition lost two points. The Australian Greens are third with six per cent. Australia’s preferential voting system—where electors indicate an order of predilection for each contender, and the ballots from smaller parties are re-distributed—gives the ALP a 10-point lead over the Coalition.

In the October 2004 election, Howard was rewarded with a fourth term in office, as the Coalition secured 87 seats in the House of Representatives. The ALP—led by Mark Latham—elected 60 lawmakers. In December 2006, foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd became the new leader of the ALP, defeating Kim Beazley in an internal caucus ballot.

On Nov. 13, Greens senator Bob Brown urged Rudd to include strict environmental goals in the ALP’s list of priorities, and said voters are paying close attention to each party’s ideas to curb pollution. Brown added: "Let’s have a 30 per cent reduction in greenhouse gases over 1990 by 2020."

A legislative election is scheduled for Nov. 24.

Polling Data

If a federal election to the House of Representatives were held today, which one of the following would you vote for? If "Uncommitted", to which one of these do you have a leaning?

Two-Party Preferred Vote

Source: Newspoll / The Australian
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,694 Australian voters, conducted from Nov. 9 to Nov. 11, 2007. Margin of error is 3 per cent.

While 84 per cent of respondents think Rudd cares for people, 68 per cent see that quality in Howard. More than 75 per cent of respondents believe Howard has a vision for Australia, understands the country’s major issues, is decisive and strong, and is experienced; but 62 per cent see him as arrogant, and fewer regard him as likeable, in touch with the voters and trustworthy.

Conversely, more than two-thirds of respondents say Rudd is likeable, in touch with the voters and trustworthy, and only 34 per cent see him as arrogant.

In the October 2004 election, Howard was rewarded with a fourth term in office, as his Coalition of Liberals and Nationals secured 87 seats in the House of Representatives. The ALP—led by Mark Latham—elected 60 lawmakers. In December 2006, foreign affairs spokesman Rudd became the new leader of the ALP, defeating Kim Beazley in an internal caucus ballot.

In mid-October Howard said he would include in the next education budget a motion to enforce at least 150 hours of history lessons in all junior secondary schools in Australia. New South Wales education minister and ALP member John Della Bosca said history has been compulsory in that state’s schools for more than a decade, covering all key events and themes.

Della Bosca added: "(The proposal) demonstrates that Mr. Howard is either arrogant and out of touch, or sadly mistaken about the use of his election stunts. (…) Once again Mr. Howard has taken the view that he should bully the states, bully school communities, and badger people and blackmail school communities using federal taxpayers’ money."

A legislative election is scheduled for Nov. 24.

Polling Data

Here are some words other people have used to describe prime minister John Howard and opposition leader Kevin Rudd. Do you agree that each of the following describes Mr. Howard / Mr. Rudd?

Source: Newspoll / The Australian
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,708 Australian voters, conducted from Nov. 2 to Nov. 4, 2007. Margin of error is 3 per cent.

The Coalition is second with 39 per cent—down two points in as many weeks—followed by the Australian Greens with 10.5 per cent. Support is lower for the Australian Democrats, Family First, and One Nation. Australia’s preferential voting system—where electors indicate an order of predilection for each contender, and the ballots from smaller parties are re-distributed—gives the ALP a 12-point lead over the Coalition.

In the October 2004 election, Howard was rewarded with a fourth term in office, as the Coalition secured 87 seats in the House of Representatives. The ALP—led by Mark Latham—elected 60 lawmakers. In December 2006, foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd became the new leader of the ALP, defeating Kim Beazley in an internal caucus ballot.

On Nov. 8, Greens leader Bob Brown criticized the two major parties’ support for uranium sales to Russia and China, declaring, "Both parties want to export uranium into China, which has rockets which can now reach Sydney and Melbourne. (…) Both parties want to export uranium to (Vladimir) Putin’s Russia, for goodness sake, which is supplying Iran and potentially Burma, with nuclear technology."

A legislative election is scheduled for Nov. 24.

Polling Data

What party would you vote for in the next election to the House of Representatives?

Two-Party Preferred Vote

Source: Roy Morgan International
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 552 Australian voters, conducted on Nov. 7 add Nov. 8, 2007. No margin of error was provided.

In the October 2004 election, Howard was rewarded with a fourth term in office, as the Coalition of Liberals and Nationals secured 87 seats in the House of Representatives. The Australian Labor Party (ALP)—led by Mark Latham—elected 60 lawmakers.

In December 2006, foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd became the new leader of the ALP, defeating Kim Beazley in an internal caucus ballot. 61 per cent of respondents are satisfied with Rudd’s performance as leader of the opposition. In the preferred prime minister category, 47 per cent of respondents pick Rudd, while 43 per cent prefer Howard.

On Nov. 7, Australia’s Reserve Bank raised interest rates for the sixth time since the last election. Howard asked voters to forgive him for the hike, explaining that the decision was based on factors unrelated to his government’s economic strategy, and adding, "Our fiscal policy has been incredibly restrained and responsible. I don’t see anything in the (Reserve Bank) governor’s statement that is critical of our fiscal policy."

A legislative election is scheduled for Nov. 24.

Polling Data

Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way John Howard is doing his job as prime minister?

Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way Kevin Rudd is doing his job as leader of the opposition?

Who do you think would make the better prime minister?

Source: Newspoll / The Australian
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,708 Australian voters, conducted from Nov. 2 to Nov. 4, 2007. Margin of error is 3 per cent.

Australia’s preferential voting system allows electors to indicate an order of predilection for each contender in their riding, and eventually redistributes the ballots from smaller parties. Howard has held the Bennelong seat since 1974.

In the October 2004 election, Howard was rewarded with a fourth term in office, as his Coalition of Liberals and Nationals secured 87 seats in the House of Representatives. The ALP—led by Mark Latham—elected 60 lawmakers. In December 2006, foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd became the new leader of the ALP, defeating Kim Beazley in an internal caucus ballot.

McKew is a former journalist and broadcaster known for hosting several programs for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). She announced her candidacy for the Bennelong seat in February.

Howard has been actively campaigning in Bennelong and has already pledged over $13.9 million U.S. for the area. On Nov. 6, while visiting Bennelong, the prime minister promised to spend $2.2 million U.S. for a community centre and about $625,000 U.S. to install 50 surveillance cameras if re-elected.

Howard said the recent stabbing of a 17-year-old man and the shooting of a woman in the area stress the need for security cameras in Bennelong, and—recalling the 2005 terrorist attacks in England—he added: "All of you would be very conscious of just how effective the closed-circuit TV network in the city of London was in tracking down those responsible for the dreadful terrorist attack of July 2005."

Polling Data

Which candidate would you vote for in next election to the House of Representatives?

Two-Party Preferred Vote

Source: Galaxy / News Ltd.
Methodology: Interviews to 800 Australian voters in the Bennelong constituency, conducted on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2, 2007. No margin of error was provided.