Early call likely for Australian elections
Source: Agencies |
July 13, 2010, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
AUSTRALIA'S ruling Labor party is set for a narrow victory in upcoming elections, two new opinion polls showed yesterday, as speculation grew that Prime Minister Julia Gillard could call an election as soon as this week.
While the robust economy, in its 17th year of growth, should be a winning ticket for Gillard, voters believe the opposition is the better economic manager, according to the polls.
Gillard has also been seeking to reframe government policy in key areas such as climate and asylum seekers.
Opinion polls put Labor ahead of the conservative opposition at 52 percent versus 48 percent.
"They're in front and they've got a primary vote that can deliver victory," John Stirton, research director with pollster Nielsen, said.
Gillard, 48, is Australia's first woman prime minister. She replaced Kevin Rudd on June 24, in a move that has resurrected Labor's electoral standing and reshaped Australian politics.
Speculation Gillard may be set to call an election grew after Governor-General Quentin Bryce delayed leaving for a trip to Europe by a day until Saturday, sparking talk that Gillard could ask the representative of Australia's head of state, Queen Elizabeth, to dissolve parliament as early as this week.
Gillard declined to comment on the timing when questioned by reporters, but said in a speech: "In the days to come I will be putting forward more detailed arguments about some of the biggest challenges facing our nation. I will be explaining the steps I think we need to take and asking for people's consideration of those steps."
While the robust economy, in its 17th year of growth, should be a winning ticket for Gillard, voters believe the opposition is the better economic manager, according to the polls.
Gillard has also been seeking to reframe government policy in key areas such as climate and asylum seekers.
Opinion polls put Labor ahead of the conservative opposition at 52 percent versus 48 percent.
"They're in front and they've got a primary vote that can deliver victory," John Stirton, research director with pollster Nielsen, said.
Gillard, 48, is Australia's first woman prime minister. She replaced Kevin Rudd on June 24, in a move that has resurrected Labor's electoral standing and reshaped Australian politics.
Speculation Gillard may be set to call an election grew after Governor-General Quentin Bryce delayed leaving for a trip to Europe by a day until Saturday, sparking talk that Gillard could ask the representative of Australia's head of state, Queen Elizabeth, to dissolve parliament as early as this week.
Gillard declined to comment on the timing when questioned by reporters, but said in a speech: "In the days to come I will be putting forward more detailed arguments about some of the biggest challenges facing our nation. I will be explaining the steps I think we need to take and asking for people's consideration of those steps."
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