(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Australian Labor Party (ALP) leader Kevin Rudd maintains a high level of public support in the country, according to a Newspoll published in The Australian. 62 per cent of respondents are satisfied with Rudd’s performance as opposition leader, down three points in two weeks.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Australian Labor Party (ALP) leader Kevin Rudd maintains a high level of public support in the country, according to a Newspoll published in The Australian. 62 per cent of respondents are satisfied with Rudd’s performance as opposition leader, down three points in two weeks.
Conversely, only 44 per cent of respondents express satisfaction with the way Australian head of government John Howard is doing his job. In the preferred prime minister category, Rudd holds a nine-point advantage over Howard.
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 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.
Yesterday, Rudd discussed his proposal to reduce the amount of tax for foreign investors who use managed funds from 30 per cent to 15 per cent, saying, "We are mindful of international tax competitiveness. We have a robust funds management industry in this country—there is currently a trillion dollar under management." Rudd also reiterated his promise to allocate $2.21 billion U.S. for trade training centres, adding, "(It) is critical we are appropriately, nationally investing in skills formation and appropriately investing in national infrastructure."
Australia is expected to hold a legislative election in October or November 2007.
Polling Data
Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way John Howard is doing his job as prime minister?
|
Sept. 30 |
Sept. 16 |
Sept. 2 |
|
|
Satisfied |
44% |
45% |
46% |
|
Dissatisfied |
45% |
44% |
44% |
Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way Kevin Rudd is doing his job as leader of the opposition?
|
Sept. 30 |
Sept. 16 |
Sept. 2 |
|
|
Satisfied |
62% |
65% |
66% |
|
Dissatisfied |
20% |
18% |
19% |
Who do you think would make the better prime minister?
|
Sept. 30 |
Sept. 16 |
Sept. 2 |
|
|
Kevin Rudd (ALP) |
47% |
48% |
48% |
|
John Howard (Lib.) |
38% |
38% |
37% |
Source: Newspoll / The Australian
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,132 Australian voters, conducted from Sept. 28 to Sept. 30, 2007. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
