Australia General Discussion

[morgieb]

Poll on the fairfax websited with over 25,000 votes has a 92% negative reaction to the announcement.

Admittedly, the readership skews left, but still... I think this might be the 'jumped the shark' moment.

The issue is the Prince Philip or the former defense guy?

Also, Happy Australia Day, mates!

Prince Philip.

[checkers]

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/abbott-government-mps-furious-over-prime-ministers-decision-to-make-prince-philip-a-knight-20150126-12y95q.html

This is a gift that keeps on giving.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Just when I think Abbott can't stuff up more... I also thought it was some kind of hoax.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Three new polls out today... two without the impact of the Sir Phil debacle and one with questionable impacts.

Essential
ALP: 54%
LNP: 46%

Morgan
ALP -55.5%
LNP- 45.5%

ReachTEL
ALP: 54%
LNP: 46%

In ReachTEL, probably the most damning stat for Abbott. While his job performance is in the toilet, it's that among Coalition voters, Abbott is trailing Julie Bishop as the preferred leader. He's now running third among all voters at 18%, following Bishop at 30% and Turnbull still leading with 44% (but Turnbull continues to be supported by ALP/GRN voters, much like Rudd was boosted by LNP voters).

[Platypus]

Colleen McCullough has died

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Colleen McCullough has died

Obviously, R.I.P. but I was never a fan.

[Platypus]

She was outspoken in the extreme, but unlike many of the loudest voices, she had something to say. I didn't agree with a lot of it though

[Barnes]

I have a copy of The Thorn Birds that I've been meaning to read for two years. RIP, of course.


Along with the election in Queensland today, we also have the Davenport by-election in South Australia today. Expectations of a pretty big wing back to the ALP.

[Barnes]

Mal Brough urged to challenge Tony Abbott for leadership -- if the election today goes badly, that is.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Mal Brough urged to challenge Tony Abbott for leadership -- if the election today goes badly, that is.

The thing is... I don't think there's any going back from this.

The issue is out there, the discussions are getting more real and more intense. Now, I'm not saying that it's definitely "on" - but something has to give. It's now public knowledge that an increasingly portion of the party room want Abbott gone, that's a desperately dangerous place to be.

I believe there is a Newspoll out in the field as well as an Ipsos for the Fairfax papers... next week is shaping up to be worse than this week.

[BaconBacon96]

Mal Brough urged to challenge Tony Abbott for leadership -- if the election today goes badly, that is.

That's rather out of left field. I don't imagine there's been any polling done on him. He's also got that Slipper controversy hanging over his head.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Mal Brough urged to challenge Tony Abbott for leadership -- if the election today goes badly, that is.

That's rather out of left field. I don't imagine there's been any polling done on him. He's also got that Slipper controversy hanging over his head.

No, he's not doing to win.

He'd be doing a tester run, to show Abbott's weakness.

[BaconBacon96]

Mal Brough urged to challenge Tony Abbott for leadership -- if the election today goes badly, that is.

That's rather out of left field. I don't imagine there's been any polling done on him. He's also got that Slipper controversy hanging over his head.

No, he's not doing to win.

He'd be doing a tester run, to show Abbott's weakness.

Ah huh. Well I look forward to seeing how weak he really is.

[Barnes]

Abbott's National Press Club speech should be pretty interesting to hear now...

[Knives]

I give Tony a week.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I give Tony a week.

Yeah ... with this, Queensland etc etc and some apparently terrible polling out tomorrow ... I think he's gone.

[morgieb]

57/43 according to PVO.

RIP Abbott.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

57/43 according to PVO.

RIP Abbott.

From Galaxy...

Yeah... He's doomed.

[You kip if you want to...]

Bishop?

[Knives]

Bishop?

or Turnball, I assume they'll want to avoid a vote and get Tony to resign as leader if possible.

[You kip if you want to...]

Bishop?

or Turnball, I assume they'll want to avoid a vote and get Tony to resign as leader if possible.

Well sh*t happens

[Barnes]

Apparently the Sunday Telegraph is reporting that Bishop personally assured Abbott a few days ago that she won't be challenging.

[You kip if you want to...]

Apparently the Sunday Telegraph is reporting that Bishop personally assured Abbott a few days ago that she won't be challenging.

In Australian politics, that means she's almost definitely gonna call for a spill, right? Or is that just the ALP?

[Knives]

About a 6% swing to Labor in Davenport by-election putting the traditional Liberal seat to a 2% margin.

[BaconBacon96]

Given the result, Brough looks like he could go ahead with that challenge.