Economics and Politics Going Hand In Hand

It is often said that in Australia the Liberals govern in good economic times and Labor takes over during economic downturns.
Right now our economy looks pretty good, but it is being overtaken by events elsewhere and it looks like this is being reflected politically.

from Yahoo News;

Labor support soars: new poll

Federal Labor could have won power if an election was held last week, according to the latest Newspoll.

The Greens have also consolidated their support at a national level and are now outpolling the Democrats two to one, The Australian reports today.

Opposition leader Simon Crean's campaign to modernise the ALP and take on union control in the party appears to have paid dividends, the newspaper said.

Mr Crean's personal rating edged two points higher to 34 per cent, although Prime Minster John Howard's popularity remains strong at 51 per cent.

The coalition vote dropped 2 per cent to 41 per cent -- surrendering the strong lead it has held over Labor for the past two months, The Australian said.

The National Party's vote fell to just 3 per cent and the Democrats, crippled by internal wrangling, also took just 3 per cent support in the survey.

"The Greens' strong showing in the Tasmanian election appears to have transferred to the mainland with it's vote up 1 per cent to 6 per cent," The Australian said.