(Angus Reid Global Scan) – The opposition Australian Labor Party (ALP) is holding on to the lead in the federal political scene, according to a poll by Roy Morgan International. 41.5 per cent of respondents would support the ALP in the next election to the House of Representatives, while 39 per cent would vote for the governing Coalition of Liberals and Nationals.
(Angus Reid Global Scan) – The opposition Australian Labor Party (ALP) is holding on to the lead in the federal political scene, according to a poll by Roy Morgan International. 41.5 per cent of respondents would support the ALP in the next election to the House of Representatives, while 39 per cent would vote for the governing Coalition of Liberals and Nationals.
The Australian Greens are in third place with eight per cent, followed by Family First, the Australian Democrats 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 seven-point lead over the Coalition.
In the October 2004 election, prime minister 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 January, Kim Beazley took over as opposition leader. Beazley commanded the ALP from March 1996 to November 2001.
Yesterday, Howard criticized his countrymen who are caught with illegal substances overseas, declaring, “It’s beyond belief that any Australian could be so stupid as to carry drugs into any country in Asia. We have told Australians—young Australians—again and again, don’t take drugs out of this country, don’t take them into Asian countries because you can’t expect any mercy.”
Earlier this month, Australian model Michelle Leslie and English teacher Graham Clifford Payne were arrested in Indonesia for alleged possession of drugs. Nine other Australian citizens are awaiting trial in Bali on charges of smuggling heroin, and could face the death penalty.
Polling Data
What party would you vote for in the next election to the House of Representatives?
Aug. 21 | Aug. 7 | Jul. 24 | |
Australian Labor Party | 41.5% | 42% | 38.5% |
Coalition (Liberal / National) | 39% | 41% | 41.5% |
Australian Greens | 8% | 7.5% | 8% |
Family First | 3% | 2% | 1.5% |
Australian Democrats | 2% | 2% | 2.5% |
One Nation | 1.5% | 1% | 2% |
Independents / Others | 5% | 4% | 6% |
Two-Party Preferred Vote
Aug. 21 | Aug. 7 | Jul. 24 | |
Australian Labor Party | 53.5% | 53% | 51.5% |
Coalition (Liberal / National) | 46.5% | 47% | 48.5% |
Source: Roy Morgan International
Methodology: Face-to-face interviews to 1,880 Australian voters, conducted on Aug. 13, Aug. 14, Aug. 20 and Aug. 21, 2005. No margin of error was provided.
