(CPOD) Apr. 15, 2003 - The recent success of the coalition in Iraq is affecting how Australians view their government, according to a Newspoll published in The Australian. While the country saw massive protests over military action against Saddam Hussein, 57 per cent of respondents now back the war effort. Australia committed 2,000 troops to the fight in Iraq.

The numbers for prime minister John Howard are also climbing. 62 per cent of respondents are satisfied with Howard's performance, compared to just 16 per cent for opposition leader Simon Crean of the Australian Labor Party (ALP), who rejected the deployment of troops.

Crean is facing criticism from his own caucus, as the low numbers suggest the ALP could lose as many as 16 seats in Parliament. Former leader Kim Beazley—who lost two elections to Howard in 1998 and 2001—could be asked to replace Crean, who has acted as opposition leader for almost 18 months.

If a two-party election were held today, Howard's coalition of Liberals and Nationals would remain in power, with a 10 per cent lead over the ALP.

Polling Data

Do you support or oppose military action against Iraq?

Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way these politicians are doing their job?

If an election were held today, which party would receive your first preference?
(Two-party Preferred Vote)

Source: Newspoll / The Australian
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 8,031 Australian voters, conducted in April 2003. No margin of error was provided.

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