Economy
Labor support dips in latest Newpoll
A bitter end to the year in Parliament appears to have cut short the Government’s recent recovery in the opinion polls.
The final Newspoll for the year, published in The Australian newspaper, shows Labor’s primary vote has dropped from 36 per cent to 32 per cent, its lowest level in six months.
Support for the Coalition increased from 43 per cent to 46 per cent.
On a two-party preferred basis, the Coalition has opened up an election-winning lead of 54 per cent to Labor’s 46 per cent.
Julia Gillard is still ahead as preferred prime minister, but her rating dropped three points to 43 per cent.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott’s rating increased by one point to 34 per cent.
In the last weeks of Parliament, the Opposition attacked Ms Gillard over her time as a lawyer in the early 1990s.
Trade Minister Craig Emerson says it was a vicious smear campaign.
“If Mr Abbott thinks he can slide into the Lodge on a torrent of mud, then he is mistaken,” he said.
Mr Emerson says Labor’s policies will lead to a turnaround in the polls early next year.
Meanwhile the Greens’ primary support remained steady on 11 per cent.
The survey has a margin of error of 3 per cent.
• Dr Kevin Bonham: Why Preferred Prime Minister/Premier Scores Are Rubbish (All comments on Dr Bonham articles are for his website