There are four basic reasons why Labor did so very well in the Sunshine state, writes Mark Bahnisch.
QLD
Bahnisch: Expect the unexpected in Queensland
There are seats in Queensland that were probably in play early in the piece, but are probably more or less decided now. Secondly, my feeling from what I hear from the ground is that the race is tighter in the “true” marginals than in some seats that should be “safe” for the Coalition, writes Mark Bahnisch.
Bahnisch: Backwater one day, powerhouse the next
Kevin Rudd has now released a new “chapter” in his home town pitch. While the best mates of the Coalition leadership might take some time out of their ongoing love-fest to rubbish Rudd’s aspiration to make Brisbane a financial hub for the Asia-Pacific, all that proves is how out of touch they are with the Sunshine State.
Tipping time: Labor heading for a 30-seat majority
I’m predicting Labor will win a 30 seat majority, which would mean Labor holding 90 out of 150 seats. How might those seats fall state by state? Here’s a possible combination, writes Peter Brent.
Press gallery missing in action on Senate preferences
After the press gallery completely missed the Senate story last time, you’d think the papers would be all over the group voting tickets, which are one of the few concrete events of the campaign, writes Stephen Mayne.
Bahnisch: Defence? Or defending a marginal?
There was a forerunner of things to come in the 2004 election campaign when John Howard announced a new quasi-system of “Australian technical colleges.” In truth, these colleges hardly matter. The symbolism is all, writes Mark Bahnisch.
Rundle: Swing seats and social change, Part 3
Part three in Guy Rundle’s look as the social complexion of the seats Labor must get to save us all from a descent into substance abuse.
Bahnisch: Galaxy Poll shows things will be close in Queensland
The Courier-Mail is this morning touting a Galaxy Poll which purports to show Labor winning only two additional seats in Queensland – Bonner and Moreton, writes Mark Bahnisch.
A potential backlash from voters over horse flu
The equine influenza outbreak is becoming an increasingly awkward issue for the Coalition with the natural reaction of people affected by it being to blame someone for their economic and social hardship and the Federal Government being a logical candidate for the venting of spleen.
And in more good news for the Howard Government…
“PM Lazarus’ dramatic poll surge,” the Telegraph’s headline screams. Lazarus with a triple bypass – and faulty valves.
The week that was in gags and pictures
The week according to First Dog On The Moon and The Anonymous Gagster.
Joe Hockey, Tony Abbott: welcome to death row
If – if – today’s Newspoll result was repeated at the election, if the Coalition won 41 per cent of the polity-wide two-party preferred vote, they would suffer a uniform swing against them of 11.74 percentage points.
The Great Centralist, The Magnificent Micro-Manager, The All Wise One – yep, it’s John Howard
One thing Kevin “Mini-Me” Rudd would find it hard to do as Prime Minister: be more of a centralist than John Howard.
London, Glasgow, Brisbane: UK terror links to Queensland
Attorney General Philip Ruddock and AFP Commissioner Mick Keelty and Queensland Premier Peter Beattie and his police commissioner have given media conference this morning in the wake of the arrest of a Queensland hospital registrar recruited from the UK at Brisbane International airport last night after advice from UK authorities investigating last week’s terror attacks in England and Scotland, writes Christian Kerr.
John Howard: economic manager, up to a point
For a government that is forever trumpeting its economic management credentials, the lack of detail attached to the indigenous incursion by the Commonwealth into the Northern Territory beggars belief, writes Norman Abjorensen.
