(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The main opposition Australian Labor Party (ALP) has maintained its position as the country's most popular political organization, according to a poll by AC Nielsen published in The Sydney Morning Herald. 49 per cent of respondents would back the ALP in the next legislative election, up one point since June.

The governing Coalition of Liberals and Nationals is second with 39 per cent, followed by the Australian Greens with seven per cent. 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 16-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.

On Jul. 16, Howard announced a new energy plan that will include giving "green" vouchers to schools. The prime minister explained the project, saying, "Every school in Australia will be eligible for a voucher of (about $43,000 U.S.) to help install solar hot water systems and rainwater tanks. Not only will this help reduce energy and conserve water, but it will provide students and our school communities with a first-hand lesson in how we can act locally to preserve the environment."

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