Polls & Research
Archive Search
Rudd at 60%, Howard at 44% in Australia
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Public backing for John Howard fell this month in Australia, according to a Newspoll published in The Australian. 44 per cent of respondents are satisfied with their prime minister's performance, down two points since late January.
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 December 2006, foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd became the new leader of the ALP, defeating Kim Beazley in an internal caucus ballot. 60 per cent of respondents are satisfied with the way Rudd is performing, up four points in two weeks.
On Feb. 7, Howard said he is confident his party will win the next election, adding, "On the plus side, history is on our side in that there has been no change of government since World War II without a loss of confidence in the government."
Support for Howard as the preferred prime minister is at 40 per cent, a one-point advantage over Rudd.
The next legislative election is tentatively scheduled for late 2007.
Polling Data
Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way John Howard is doing his job as prime minister?
Feb. 4 | Jan. 21 | Dec. 10 | |
Satisfied | 44% | 46% | 46% |
Dissatisfied | 44% | 43% | 43% |
Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way Kevin Rudd (*) is doing his job as leader of the opposition?
Feb. 4 | Jan. 21 | Dec. 10 | |
Satisfied | 60% | 56% | 41% |
Dissatisfied | 15% | 13% | 10% |
Who do you think would make the better prime minister? (*)
Feb. 4 | Jan. 21 | Dec. 10 | |
John Howard (Lib.) | 40% | 41% | 39% |
Kevin Rudd (ALP) | 39% | 39% | 36% |
Source: Newspoll / The Australian
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,168 Australian voters, conducted from Feb. 2 to Feb. 4, 2007. Margin of error is 3 per cent.