Economy
In Rudd we trust, say voters as annihilation looms for Labor. ADF sex scandal. Hairdressers …
If the Labor Party doesn’t change leaders, three cabinet ministers whose constituencies were the subject of the survey, and who are all supporters of Ms Gillard, would lose their seats in September, according to an exclusive Sun-Herald poll.
Even with less than 100 days to go before Australians return to the polls to decide the next government, a Fairfax Media/ReachTEL survey on Saturday of six strategic seats across three states translates into an average national improvement in Labor’s vote of 6.7 per cent with Mr Rudd instead Ms Gillard as prime minister.
Amid rising speculation the former prime minister has launched another bid for the leadership with high-profile campaigning and media appearances, his chances of success with caucus members have markedly improved with this new poll.
Without Mr Rudd, Peter Garrett would lose his Kingsford Smith electorate and Labor’s rising star Jason Clare would forfeit the seat of Blaxland, which has never before been lost by the ALP.
The NSW ministers would be joined in defeat by Queensland’s Craig Emerson in the seat of Rankin, unless a leadership switch is made.
The ReachTEL poll also returned a terrible personal approval rating for Ms Gillard, with almost a third of respondents saying she has done a very poor job as Prime Minister.
In Victoria, ministers Bill Shorten and Jenny Macklin would be safe regardless of whether Labor goes to the election with Ms Gillard or Mr Rudd as leader.
Full story, including graphic analysis, here
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