Opinion poll signals end of Turnbull 'honeymoon'?

SBS World News Radio: The Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has declined to comment on a new voter opinion poll which shows if an election were held now, his government would lose.

Opinion poll signals end of Turnbull 'honeymoon'?Opinion poll signals end of Turnbull 'honeymoon'?

Opinion poll signals end of Turnbull 'honeymoon'?

The Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has declined to comment on a new voter opinion poll which shows if an election were held now, his government would lose.

The large parkland space at Barangaroo is one of the biggest construction projects in Sydney's history.

The stunning harbourside setting provided a sunny back-drop to lift the mood of the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

"This is such a beautiful morning."

Not so beautiful, though, is the latest Newspoll public opinion survey which, some say, suggests the Prime Minister's 'honeymoon' may be over.

The poll shows the coalition behind for the first time since Malcolm Turnbull took the leadership last September.

On a two party preferred basis, the coalition is at 49 per cent to Labor's 51 - after preferences.

Last year, Mr Turnbull used the opinion polls as one of the reasons for removing the then Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

"We have lost 30 Newspolls in a row. It is clear that the people have made up their mind about Mr Abbott's leadership."

The latest result was not a subject the Prime Minister was keen to comment on.

(Turnbull)"I will leave the commentary on matters like that to the commentators."

(Journalist) "When you took over as leader you did cite polls and poor polling that the government had had and that's why you wanted to take over that job."

(Turnbull) "Again, it's kind of you to invite me to engage in the commentary, but..."

Employment Minister Michaelia Cash has told the ABC opinion polls tend to narrow in an election year.

"You know, we dealt with some really difficult issues last week and when you deal with difficult issues, in particular in relation to taxation at a commonwealth and at a state level, it can sometimes get a little bit messy."

Opposition leader Bill Shorten has been campaigning in Western Australia.

He says he's not getting too excited about the result.

"I'm sort of calm when the good news or the bad news, what I'm going to do is keep working on the policies. I think what we're seeing in 2016 is the hard work of my united Labor team over the last two years is now bearing fruit."

Mr Shorten has been rolling out policy over the last 18 months while the government is still to reveal most of its plans, including on taxation.

Bill Shorten is seemingly starting to feel more confident.

"I think it is amazing, I could never have predicted when Mr Turnbull came into power seven months ago, replacing Tony Abbott, I thought maybe my job would be harder, but at least politics will be better and we would have a debate of ideas."

 

 


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By Daniela Ritorto



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