Poll: Gillard on course for narrow win
Source: Agencies |
July 19, 2010, Monday
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Print Edition
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AUSTRALIAN Prime Minister Julia Gillard is on course for a narrow win in an August 21 election, as the economy, border protection and population swiftly emerged as key campaign issues, an opinion poll showed yesterday.
Support for the ruling Labor party has rebounded since Gillard, Australia's first female prime minister, was appointed three weeks ago. Seeking to take advantage of her lead and a robust economy creating jobs, she called an election on Saturday.
But the poll is set to be tight with conservative opposition leader Tony Abbott only needing nine more seats to form a government with four independents, or 13 to take office outright.
"I genuinely believe this election is on a knife-edge," Gillard told reporters in Brisbane, adding jobs, the economy and a return to budget surplus could be deciding factors.
A new opinion poll released yesterday showed the Labor government maintaining a slim lead over the opposition. The Galaxy poll put Labor on 52 percent compared to 48 percent for the conservative opposition.
But the survey showed that the government will have to rely on support from Greens' voters to ensure victory.
The opinion poll gave Gillard a strong 55 percent to 32 percent lead over Abbott as preferred prime minister.
Financial markets are not expected to react much to the election given there is little to choose on core economic policy.
Despite Labor steering the economy through the global financial crisis and avoiding recession last year, opinion polls show voters view the opposition as better economic managers.
Abbott pledged that interest rates, which have risen six times to 4.5 percent, would be lower if he came to power after accusing the government of boosting debt and living costs.
He also accused the government of wasteful spending and pledged to stop the flow of boat people heading to Australian waters, a sensitive issue particularly in crowded city areas.
"I think people are right to be concerned about those who arrive unsafely, without papers," Abbott said, claiming Australia had become "a soft touch" over boat people.
Support for the ruling Labor party has rebounded since Gillard, Australia's first female prime minister, was appointed three weeks ago. Seeking to take advantage of her lead and a robust economy creating jobs, she called an election on Saturday.
But the poll is set to be tight with conservative opposition leader Tony Abbott only needing nine more seats to form a government with four independents, or 13 to take office outright.
"I genuinely believe this election is on a knife-edge," Gillard told reporters in Brisbane, adding jobs, the economy and a return to budget surplus could be deciding factors.
A new opinion poll released yesterday showed the Labor government maintaining a slim lead over the opposition. The Galaxy poll put Labor on 52 percent compared to 48 percent for the conservative opposition.
But the survey showed that the government will have to rely on support from Greens' voters to ensure victory.
The opinion poll gave Gillard a strong 55 percent to 32 percent lead over Abbott as preferred prime minister.
Financial markets are not expected to react much to the election given there is little to choose on core economic policy.
Despite Labor steering the economy through the global financial crisis and avoiding recession last year, opinion polls show voters view the opposition as better economic managers.
Abbott pledged that interest rates, which have risen six times to 4.5 percent, would be lower if he came to power after accusing the government of boosting debt and living costs.
He also accused the government of wasteful spending and pledged to stop the flow of boat people heading to Australian waters, a sensitive issue particularly in crowded city areas.
"I think people are right to be concerned about those who arrive unsafely, without papers," Abbott said, claiming Australia had become "a soft touch" over boat people.
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