(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The leader of Australia’s Liberal Party finds himself with much fewer supporters after an accusation that has backfired, according to a poll by Newspoll published in The Australian. 25 per cent of respondents are satisfied with Malcolm Turnbull’s performance as opposition leader, down 19 points since mid-June.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The leader of Australia’s Liberal Party finds himself with much fewer supporters after an accusation that has backfired, according to a poll by Newspoll published in The Australian. 25 per cent of respondents are satisfied with Malcolm Turnbull’s performance as opposition leader, down 19 points since mid-June.
In contrast, 59 per cent of respondents are satisfied with the performance of current prime minister Kevin Rudd. In the category of preferred head of government, Rudd is ahead with 65 per cent, followed by Turnbull with 18 per cent.
Australia held a federal election in November 2007. Final results gave Rudd’s Australian Labor Party (ALP) 85 seats in the 150-member House of Representatives. Rudd was officially sworn in as prime minister in December, bringing an end to the 11-year tenure of Liberal leader John Howard as head of Australia’s government.
Howard failed to retain his seat in the Bennelong constituency and stepped down as Liberal leader. In September 2008, former environment minister Turnbull became the new Liberal leader.
On Jun. 19, Turnbull asked Rudd and Australian treasurer Wayne Swan to resign after accusing them of providing car dealer friend John Grant with bail-out funds from taxpayer money. On Jun. 22, it was revealed that an e-mail that Turnbull used to corroborate his accusations had been forged by an unnamed Treasury official.
On Jun. 29, Rudd commented on the scandal, saying, "I think the Australian people are just tired of the politics of fear and smear."
Polling Data
Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way Kevin Rudd is doing his job as prime minister?
|
|
Jun. 28 |
Jun. 14 |
May 31 |
|
Satisfied |
59% |
58% |
56% |
|
Dissatisfied |
30% |
31% |
33% |
|
Uncommitted |
11% |
11% |
11% |
Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way Malcolm Turnbull is doing his job as leader of the opposition?
|
|
Jun. 28 |
Jun. 14 |
May 31 |
|
Satisfied |
25% |
44% |
40% |
|
Dissatisfied |
58% |
37% |
40% |
|
Uncommitted |
17% |
19% |
20% |
Who do you think would make the better prime minister?
|
|
Jun. 28 |
Jun. 14 |
May 31 |
|
Kevin Rudd (ALP) |
65% |
57% |
57% |
|
Malcolm Turnbull (Lib.) |
18% |
25% |
24% |
|
Uncommitted |
17% |
18% |
19% |
Source: Newspoll / The Australian
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,156 Australian voters, conducted from Jun. 26 to Jun. 28, 2009. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
