Dale HughesRudds 70 per cent approval rate is no suprise
February 19th 2008 02:46
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People shouldn't read to much into Kevin Rudd's record approval rate in The Australian newspoll today. It comes as little suprise that a Prime Minister still basking in the glory of a landslide election victory promising to relieve working Australians of new reforms they hate could be so popular.
Rudd has had a near perfect start to his Prime Ministership. Touching on issues that many people identify with. Taking to the world stage against Japanese whaling was a smart move. Whaling is one of the most despicable practices in the world and it shouldn't be happening, especially in our waters. It's a practice that strikes a nerve with many Australians and by taking quick action on the issue would've helped his image.
Saying sorry to the Aborigines was met with a warm welcome by the majority of Australians, many thought it was well overdue. Yet credit should also go to Brendan Nelson and the Coalition for their support of the apology, thus making the event more significant as a parliamentary apology rather than gesture from the government of the day.
The apology itself was a breathe of fresh air but the fact that Rudd invited Nelson to co-chair a 'war cabinet' taking bipartisian action on the issue (giving Nelson little chance to deny his offer) has made him appear like a fresh politician putting party differences aside when it matters. Of course the way it was orchestrated denied the Opposition any chance to question or criticise his actions on the day.
Nelson was given virtually no notice that he would be giving a speech, nor was he consulted on whether he would be offered the position to co-chair the 'war cabinet'. If Nelson had of denied the offer it would have been political poison on the day, hence he had little choice but to play to Rudd's wishes.
The tough times are yet to come though. We may yet see even more favourable approval rates in the coming months as the government disposes of Howard's WorkChoices legislation. We should expect to see little pressure on the government for a least the first six months of their term, the 'honeymoon period' where their key electoral promises are delivered is always going to be easy.
But their are some tough challenges on the horizon for Rudd Labor. While saying sorry to the Aborigines and delivering on WorkChoices is being met with welcome arms, the economic difficulties facing the country in the coming months is going to cause some headaches, whether its the government's fault or not.
Wayne Swan's stumble in Parliament yesterday when Malcolm Turnbull asked him to identify the non-accelerating inflation rate of unemployment did not look good. While Swan has shown himself to be an able treasurer in the early days office, his parliamentary performances this week have shown a degree of nervousness. The Opposition will enjoy exploiting this during Question Time, and as the pressure heats up Swan will have to become more comfortable in the hot seat to help save some face.
What also comes as no suprise is Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson's dubious single figure preffered Prime Minister figure of just 9 per cent. While it's too early for alarm bells to be ringing Nelson is going to be feeling uncomfortable for some time to come considering his leadership of the party is only approved by a little over half of the party room at best.
Yet while the figures couldn't be any sweeter for the government, or any worse for the Opposition Leader, nothing much should be read into the opinion polls at this early stage. In the wake of such an election defeat the Coaltion is going to take some time to win the voters approval back, while Rudd's strong start to the top job won't last forever.
Rudd has had a near perfect start to his Prime Ministership. Touching on issues that many people identify with. Taking to the world stage against Japanese whaling was a smart move. Whaling is one of the most despicable practices in the world and it shouldn't be happening, especially in our waters. It's a practice that strikes a nerve with many Australians and by taking quick action on the issue would've helped his image.
Saying sorry to the Aborigines was met with a warm welcome by the majority of Australians, many thought it was well overdue. Yet credit should also go to Brendan Nelson and the Coalition for their support of the apology, thus making the event more significant as a parliamentary apology rather than gesture from the government of the day.
The apology itself was a breathe of fresh air but the fact that Rudd invited Nelson to co-chair a 'war cabinet' taking bipartisian action on the issue (giving Nelson little chance to deny his offer) has made him appear like a fresh politician putting party differences aside when it matters. Of course the way it was orchestrated denied the Opposition any chance to question or criticise his actions on the day.
Nelson was given virtually no notice that he would be giving a speech, nor was he consulted on whether he would be offered the position to co-chair the 'war cabinet'. If Nelson had of denied the offer it would have been political poison on the day, hence he had little choice but to play to Rudd's wishes.
The tough times are yet to come though. We may yet see even more favourable approval rates in the coming months as the government disposes of Howard's WorkChoices legislation. We should expect to see little pressure on the government for a least the first six months of their term, the 'honeymoon period' where their key electoral promises are delivered is always going to be easy.
But their are some tough challenges on the horizon for Rudd Labor. While saying sorry to the Aborigines and delivering on WorkChoices is being met with welcome arms, the economic difficulties facing the country in the coming months is going to cause some headaches, whether its the government's fault or not.
Wayne Swan's stumble in Parliament yesterday when Malcolm Turnbull asked him to identify the non-accelerating inflation rate of unemployment did not look good. While Swan has shown himself to be an able treasurer in the early days office, his parliamentary performances this week have shown a degree of nervousness. The Opposition will enjoy exploiting this during Question Time, and as the pressure heats up Swan will have to become more comfortable in the hot seat to help save some face.
What also comes as no suprise is Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson's dubious single figure preffered Prime Minister figure of just 9 per cent. While it's too early for alarm bells to be ringing Nelson is going to be feeling uncomfortable for some time to come considering his leadership of the party is only approved by a little over half of the party room at best.
Yet while the figures couldn't be any sweeter for the government, or any worse for the Opposition Leader, nothing much should be read into the opinion polls at this early stage. In the wake of such an election defeat the Coaltion is going to take some time to win the voters approval back, while Rudd's strong start to the top job won't last forever.
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Rudd has done a good job so far PR wise, I agree. The 70% figure does not surprise me either. I think the main reason was the apology.