(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The number of people in Australia who approve of their prime minister’s performance has slightly increased this month, according to a poll by Newspoll published in The Australian. 49 per cent of respondents are satisfied with the job done by John Howard, up two points in a week.

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 Australian Labor Party (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. 61 per cent of respondents are satisfied with Rudd’s performance as leader of the opposition. In the preferred prime minister category, 47 per cent of respondents pick Rudd, while 43 per cent prefer Howard.

On Nov. 7, Australia’s Reserve Bank raised interest rates for the sixth time since the last election. Howard asked voters to forgive him for the hike, explaining that the decision was based on factors unrelated to his government’s economic strategy, and adding, "Our fiscal policy has been incredibly restrained and responsible. I don’t see anything in the (Reserve Bank) governor’s statement that is critical of our fiscal policy."

A legislative election is scheduled for Nov. 24.

Polling Data

Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way John Howard is doing his job as prime minister?

Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way Kevin Rudd is doing his job as leader of the opposition?

Who do you think would make the better prime minister?

Source: Newspoll / The Australian
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,708 Australian voters, conducted from Nov. 2 to Nov. 4, 2007. Margin of error is 3 per cent.

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