The day 24 entry starts now, 11:00pm Sunday, for the latest Newspoll has dropped, and I'm a little... well, I just don't know. On two party, ALP 52 (+2), LNP 48 (-2). On primaries, ALP 38 (+1), LNP 42 (-1), AG 13 (+1), others etc. Essentially it's the same breakdown as 2007, except Labor has dropped 5 primary percentage points and the Greens have gained all of them.
This becomes fascinating.
For the narrative (not just my own, mind), is one that squeals look! Look at the hilarious bumbling Labor circus! Look at them shake and shimmy across a stage of stupid, with their stupid faces and pointless word making mouths all a-moving! But the numbers say Labor is holding on, and getting better. Remember, the Neilson was +1 for the ALP too. After all that pain and wailing and gnashing and gore, Labor are gaining.
And so, when do we start reading about the shift in fortunes, the 'Tony has thrown everything at it and can't move the mountain' pieces? When does Peter Hartcher and his like stop writing stuff stating that 'it's Abbott's to lose'? Have we been sold a confection, that places Abbott as a 'frontrunner', instead of someone polling quite well in the face of some horrific weeks for Labor? Does it start to play on Abbott and his merry tories that, after all that, they still trail? Does this put a smile on Malcolm Turnbull's dial (my friend, I shall vanquish thee)?
The point, the really big point in light of these new numbers, is that Labor keep fucking up and yet voters seem to be sticking with them. More than that, they're clawing back.
This will be an interesting day.
LUNCHTIME
The PM has taken questions at a Perth school and pledged performative bonuses for good teachers, while Peter Costello has demanded an ad, featuring a pretty direct quote from one of his several farewell pressers, be taken off air. Quoted out of context he was. The nation calls bullshit, one suspects.
On the Economy, Swannie and Sloppy went toe to toe at the Press Club. How was it for you? I couldn't watch. And interestingly, no one is calling a winner as I type- perhaps they were bored off their chairs too. (The tweeters lean toward Swannie)
Abbott goes to a house that had some dodgy pink batts installed to tell planet Earth that Scott Morrison is in Nauru, right now, and its his understanding that they're cool with Australia re-opening the detention centre (or dent cent). Never mind that a) Nauru hasn't actually got a functioning Government currently, and b) there's a reason the ALP is keen on a UNHCR approved space (got something to do, however loosely, with common decency). Never mind all that. Why Labor can't shoot this one down is beyond me.
Meanwhile, the Libs have to deal with a slimy toad.
LUNCHTIME
The PM has taken questions at a Perth school and pledged performative bonuses for good teachers, while Peter Costello has demanded an ad, featuring a pretty direct quote from one of his several farewell pressers, be taken off air. Quoted out of context he was. The nation calls bullshit, one suspects.
On the Economy, Swannie and Sloppy went toe to toe at the Press Club. How was it for you? I couldn't watch. And interestingly, no one is calling a winner as I type- perhaps they were bored off their chairs too. (The tweeters lean toward Swannie)
Abbott goes to a house that had some dodgy pink batts installed to tell planet Earth that Scott Morrison is in Nauru, right now, and its his understanding that they're cool with Australia re-opening the detention centre (or dent cent). Never mind that a) Nauru hasn't actually got a functioning Government currently, and b) there's a reason the ALP is keen on a UNHCR approved space (got something to do, however loosely, with common decency). Never mind all that. Why Labor can't shoot this one down is beyond me.
Meanwhile, the Libs have to deal with a slimy toad.
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| Just one kiss Julie, and you'll have your prince. Via ABC |
Continuing the fine tradition of former leaders making cocks of themselves, ol Andrew Peacock makes a disability gaffe. Does anyone remember Andy Plumage? He lost a few times in the 80's. Handsome guy. But a loser.
WHAT'S A LAZY 7 BILL AMONGST COMRADES?
So someone was watching that debate at lunch, and noticed that big Sloppy mentioned a total campaign spend figure of 25 billion. He clearly hadn't heard his friend and leader on the ABC this morning, where Tony stated that no more than 18 billion would be spent. Oops. Economic credibility huh? Andrew Robb releases a statement saying that it's all ok- the missing 7 billion were savings, or future savings, or something that they were planning to spend in order to save, and so 18 billion is ok. It's like buying a pair of trainers for 60 bucks, on sale, which were originally 130 bucks, and then telling your girlfriend that said saving is as good as putting $70 in her pocket. I have some understanding of this scenario, as does my (shall I call her 'long suffering'?) girlfriend. So, Andy Robb, I feel you. Sure I do.
AND FINALLY, WE MIGHT HAVE A PRIME MINISTER
I planned a long post on Q&A. I thought've of a live blog. I thought better of it and sat down at 9:35 wondering how she'd go.
She went very well indeed. This was real Julia, grappling with tough ones and putting the long hops over the fence. Not perfect- oh no. Hamstrung by the community cabinet, stung by questions on same sex marriage and refugees. But she addressed everything. Everything. Stared it in the face and had a go. She indicated fallibility and looked stronger for it. Who the hell watches Q&A? I dunno. But let us now see if word gets out. Her sail, if you'll excuse a potentially problematic analogy, is getting wet. Let's see. The scribes should pick up on this. It was the Julia we thought we'd have when she toppled the man who, it must must must be said, made the mess she now mops. She went well. And Abbott, even amongst his most ardent fans, will struggle to be this likeable and direct on next weeks episode.
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