(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The Australian Labor Party (ALP) remains the top political organization in the country, according to a poll by Roy Morgan International. 53.5 per cent of respondents would support the ALP in this year’s legislative election.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The Australian Labor Party (ALP) remains the top political organization in the country, according to a poll by Roy Morgan International. 53.5 per cent of respondents would support the ALP in this year’s legislative election.
The Coalition of Liberals and Nationals is second with 35.5 per cent, followed by the Australian Greens with 5.5 per cent. Support is lower for 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 22-point lead over the Coalition.
In the October 2004 election, Australian 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 December 2006, foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd became the new leader of the ALP, defeating Kim Beazley in an internal caucus ballot.
Yesterday, Howard dismissed calls to set a date for the election, saying, "(There are) important decisions and they should be taken by a government that is not in caretaker mode so they can operate immediately." ALP lawmaker Stephen Smith expressed dissatisfaction, declaring, "Time’s up, he should simply call the poll."
While Australia was expected to hold the legislative election in October or November 2007, it is likely that the ballot will take place in early December.
Polling Data
What party would you vote for in the next election to the House of Representatives?
|
Sept. 30 |
Sept. 23 |
Sept. 16 |
|
|
Australian Labor Party |
53.5% |
54% |
49.5% |
|
Coalition (Liberal / National) |
35.5% |
36% |
39.5% |
|
Australian Greens |
5.5% |
5.5% |
6% |
|
Family First |
1.5% |
1% |
1.5% |
|
Australian Democrats |
1.5% |
0.5% |
0.5% |
|
One Nation |
0.5% |
0.5% |
1% |
Two-Party Preferred Vote
|
Sept. 30 |
Sept. 23 |
Sept. 16 |
|
|
Australian Labor Party |
61% |
61% |
56.5% |
|
Coalition (Liberal / National) |
39% |
39% |
43.5% |
Source: Roy Morgan International
Methodology: Face-to-face interviews with 894 Australian voters, conducted on Sept. 29 and Sept. 30, 2007. No margin of error was provided.
