Economy
Gillard feels heat from WA loss
Labor’s thumping loss in the State election has sparked calls for Julia Gillard to fall on her sword, with party insiders saying the ALP’s toxic Federal brand undoubtedly cost Mark McGowan several seats.
Premier Colin Barnett declared his resounding victory marked a fresh start for the Government, with ministries up for grabs and the level of Nationals representation around the Cabinet table an open question.
The Liberals have claimed seven extra seats in the Legislative Assembly and could win more, with the results in Belmont, Collie-Preston and Midland among those still too close to call.
The outcome in country seats Kalgoorlie, Eyre and Kimberley also hinges on the final flow of preferences, with Nationals minister Terry Redman likely to lose in Warren-Blackwood to the Liberals’ Ray Colyer.
Brendon Grylls won Pilbara as part of his audacious strategy to retain the balance of power by expanding the Nationals’ base but the tidal surge to the Liberals – particularly in Perth’s northern and eastern suburbs – means the leverage he was able to assert after the 2008 election has largely evaporated.
It is understood ALP research estimated the impact of the anti-Federal Labor backlash was at least 1.5 per cent on a two-party preferred basis – enough to influence the results in at least three electorates. A senior State Labor figure said the “drag” caused by the Gillard Government’s unpopularity peaked as high as 6 per cent, according to continuous polling over 40 days.
…
Former State Labor minister Alannah MacTiernan said to prevent Federal Labor facing disaster at the Federal election in September, Ms Gillard had to go.
“I think she should step down,” she said.
“There can’t be a challenge. The only way for us to extricate ourselves from this terrible Greek tragedy that has engulfed us since Kevin Rudd’s sacking is for the Prime Minister to stand down.”
Federal ministers Stephen Smith and Gary Gray condemned Ms MacTiernan for her “intemperate” comments.
But Ms MacTiernan said she spoke “in sorrow, not anger”.
“Unfortunately, people don’t see her as a leader,” she said, adding that she had developed this view after doorknocking during the campaign.
Follow thewest.com.au on Twitter
• ABC Online, Tuesday: Julia Gillard has regained her lead over Tony Abbott as preferred prime minister in the latest Newspoll. The poll, published in The Australian newspaper today, shows the Prime Minister gained six points in the preferred PM stakes and now leads Mr Abbott 42 per cent to 38. Labor’s primary vote has also climbed three points to 34 per cent, while the Coalition’s is down three points to 44. But the Coalition remains ahead 52 per cent to 48 in the two party-preferred stakes. The issue of Kevin Rudd is also still sticking around, with Newspoll showing a potential return to the former prime minister would boost Labor’s chances at the federal election. A total of 47 per cent of Newspoll voters said they would vote for Labor if Mr Rudd returned as leader, while 39 per cent would vote for the Opposition. Federal Labor’s bounce in the polls comes at a crucial time. Read more here