Election soon: Costello (Aussies 2 Oct?)

[struggle4progress]

26aug04

TREASURER Peter Costello said today Prime Minister John Howard would announce the election as soon as he had decided upon a date, but the Treasurer said he thought the poll would be soon.

"Suffice it to say that I think the (government's) three years are up on the 10th of November so it's a pretty informed bet that it will be soon," Mr Costello told radio 2GB.

The time between calling an election and holding an election had to be at least five weeks, he said.

If an election was called in late August or September, it would be in October; if it was left until later, the election would be in November.
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http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,10572789%5E1702,00.html


Poll may fall on league final day
26aug04

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To go to an October 2 poll, Mr Howard would have to call the election in the next few days.
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The prime minister was asked nine times on Perth radio to guarantee parliament would resume as planned next Monday. And nine times Mr Howard refused to give anything away.

The prime minister also unusually revealed some of the Liberal Party's internal polling, saying it showed the Government in a good position.

Published polls have the Government up to eight percentage points behind Labor.
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http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,10572380%5E1702,00.html


Howard, electoral liability
August 26, 2004

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The three main polls - the AgePoll, Newspoll and Morgan - now have Labor with a solid lead. And a key reason for this is that the Prime Minister is not trusted.

A Morgan poll taken last week showed 60 per cent of Australians believed that Howard deliberately misled the public on the children overboard issue. Moreover, fewer than 30 per cent of respondents considered the Prime Minister honest and trustworthy.

The most disturbing aspect of this for the Government is that Morgan's "qualitative" research - which is conducted with its polling survey - indicates this issue is shifting voting intentions.

The research is rich with comments such as "I don't believe the Prime Minister tells the truth", "the Government tells too many lies", "I don't like the deception of the present Government", "John is a bit of a liar".
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http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/08/25/1093246614361.html

[anakie]

1. Howard is too much of a sports tragic

to call an election for the weekend of the rugby league grand final. As well that weekend is a long weekend in New South Wales at least. Howard's big dilemma is whether to go before or after the US election.

As well as that I think there is a House inquiry into the terms of the Centenary House deal due sometime in October which of course will provide fresh ammunition for Howard on his quest for re election.

[struggle4progress]

2. Thanks for the info! eom