abbott abbott abbott

National Affairs


Labor MPs told to blame Abbott for poll reversal

by: David Crowe
From:The Australian
January 16, 201312:00AM

LABOR MPs have been told to blame the Coalition's drop in support on Tony Abbott's personal style as the government takes the latest Newspoll as a sign it could hold on to power at the election later this year.

Hammering the government's attack on Mr Abbott, Labor apparatchiks advised backbenchers to attribute the polling gains to the Opposition Leader's flaws.

"It's been clear that Tony Abbott's negativity and fear-mongering just haven't washed with Australians," said speaking notes issued by the caucus communication team yesterday morning.

The argument sought to contrast Mr Abbott's criticisms of the government with Julia Gillard's recent vows to improve school funding and create a national disability insurance scheme. Caucus members privately cautioned, however, that they did not yet sense a recovery as strong as the Newspoll showing Labor's primary vote had leapt by six percentage points over the last four weeks.

. .
"I'm astounded, astonished and amazed that there could be such a turnaround," said one caucus member.

Another said it was a "good poll" but a string of similar results were needed given that a 38 per cent primary vote would not ensure a win.

The first Newspoll for the new year, conducted exclusively for The Australian at the weekend, showed Labor's primary vote rose six points to 38 per cent while the Coalition's fell two points to 44 per cent.

The Coalition retains a narrow lead on a two-party preferred basis, 51 to 49 per cent.