(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Two challengers have emerged in a possible leadership race within the opposition Australian Labor Party (ALP), according to a Newspoll published by The Australian. 32 per cent of respondents think shadow health minister Julia Gillard would make the best candidate.
(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Two challengers have emerged in a possible leadership race within the opposition Australian Labor Party (ALP), according to a Newspoll published by The Australian. 32 per cent of respondents think shadow health minister Julia Gillard would make the best candidate.
Foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd is second on the list with 28 per cent, followed by current ALP leader Kim Beazley with 24 per cent. In January 2005, Beazley took over as opposition leader. Beazley commanded the ALP from March 1996 to November 2001.
On May 1, Beazley dismissed being concerned about a possible change at the helm, declaring, “What (this poll) means is Julia Gillard will be a very popular health minister and Kevin Rudd will be a very popular foreign minister when they are appointed to those positions after the next election.”
In the October 2004 election, Australian prime minister John 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.
Support for Howard as the preferred leader of the Liberal party is at 62 per cent, a 38-point advantage over treasurer Peter Costello.
Polling Data
Thinking about the leadership of the federal Australian Labour Party, which one of the following do you think would be the best candidate?
Apr. 2006 | Jan. 2005 | |
Julia Gillard | 32% | 18% |
Kevin Rudd | 28% | 24% |
Kim Beazley | 24% | 41% |
Uncommitted | 16% | 17% |
Thinking about the leadership of the federal Liberal party, which one of the following do you think would be the best candidate?
Apr. 2006 | May 2005 | |
John Howard | 62% | 61% |
Peter Costello | 24% | 23% |
Uncommitted | 14% | 16% |
Source: Newspoll / The Australian
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,149 Australian voters, conducted from Apr. 28 to Apr. 30, 2006. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
