Labor has dismissed claims that Greens MP Adam Bandt is poised to win the seat of Melbourne with a ''giant vote'', with internal polling suggesting a close race between the two parties.

The ReachTEL poll, taken on July 29, reveals a primary vote for Labor candidate Cath Bowtell of 36 per cent, compared with 33.9 per cent for Mr Bandt and 22.9 per cent for Liberal candidate Sean Armistead.

Based on the preference flows at the last election, the poll of 653 people, obtained by Fairfax Media, indicates Labor would reclaim the seat with 54.5 per cent of the two-party preferred vote.
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It came as senior Liberal sources confirmed the party will direct voters to preference the

Greens behind the ALP in the seat. It followed a decision before the 2010 election to direct preference to the Greens, ensuring Labor lost the left-leaning electorate for the first time in more than a century.

''There are processes to go through over the next week or so, but I can confirm we won't be directing preferences to the Greens ahead of Labor in Melbourne,'' the source said. ''It will be very, very difficult for the Greens to get across the line because of this.''

The results are at odds with a recent Galaxy poll, also taken towards the end of last month. It found the Greens' primary vote had surged from 36 per cent at the 2010 election to 48 per cent. It put Ms Bowtell on just 29 per cent, finding 21 per cent support for the Liberals. Those results raised the prospect Mr Bandt could get enough votes to win power in his own right without the need for preferences.

In a letter to supporters, Mr Bandt predicted he was ''poised to hold Melbourne with a giant vote of 48 per cent'', although he warned the Greens vote could drop in the final weeks of the campaign ''as the old parties dominate the airwaves''.

Mr Bandt on Wednesday said the only way Labor could win the seat was if they conspired with the Liberal Party on preferences.

''I've always said we will have to work hard to win this seat if Liberal and Labor collaborate, which is why I will be working right up until 6pm on election day to highlight the clear choices for the people of Melbourne on refugees, clean energy and university cuts,'' Mr Bandt said.

But a Liberal Party decision to direct preferences to Labor in the seat is also likely to fuel tensions within the Coalition. It is believed the decision to preference Labor ahead of the Greens in Melbourne is part of an exchange in which Labor has agreed to direct its preferences towards the Liberal Party in the western Victorian seat of Mallee.

Claims of a deal have inflamed tensions within the Coalition, making it likely the National Party will lose the seat it holds by a margin of 23 per cent.

http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2013/close-race-ahead-for-seat-of-melbourne-20130807-2rgu9.html#ixzz2bKaYlUIG

Galaxy says its safe.

A ReachTel poll says its gone.

There is no denying the preference deal between the Libs and ALP will make it harder.

What makes it more interesting is the Libs are prepared to piss off the Nats in order to make it happen.

i think they'll lose. Grant

Verge wrote on Aug 8^th, 2013 at 12:47pm:

Galaxy says its safe. A ReachTel poll says its gone. There is no denying the preference deal between the Libs and ALP will make it harder. What makes it more interesting is the Libs are prepared to piss off the Nats in order to make it happen.

Please explain.

matty wrote on Aug 8^th, 2013 at 12:59pm:

Verge wrote on Aug 8th, 2013 at 12:47pm: Galaxy says its safe. A ReachTel poll says its gone. There is no denying the preference deal between the Libs and ALP will make it harder. What makes it more interesting is the Libs are prepared to piss off the Nats in order to make it happen. Please explain.

Read your own post mate;

But a Liberal Party decision to direct preferences to Labor in the seat is also likely to fuel tensions within the Coalition. It is believed the decision to preference Labor ahead of the Greens in Melbourne is part of an exchange in which Labor has agreed to direct its preferences towards the Liberal Party in the western Victorian seat of Mallee.

Claims of a deal have inflamed tensions within the Coalition, making it likely the National Party will lose the seat it holds by a margin of 23 per cent.

it will be a great joy to see that snide arrogant little turd leave parliament.  I would much rather have a labor person there than a slimy self-absorbed greenie like him.

Adam Bandt needs to come out swinging with sensible Left Wing policies restricting the role of capital in the market and advocating for Labor ownership of the means of production to challenge the Labor party to match him.  We need a race to the Left...

Nationals should get with the program...for the greater good of the Coalition.

It may not be preferences at ALL, that determines the outcome



Fears park to go for Melbourne link road
July 21, 2013


Angry inner Melbourne residents fear precious parkland will be turned into a freeway overpass as part of Melbourne's East West Link road project.

Ross Straw Field on the edge of Royal Park is home to a baseball club, soccer and cricket clubs, but will become an LA-style road flyover when the East West Link is built, the Greens say.

On Sunday about 150 local residents gathered at the field to protest against the road.

Protesters held up signs saying "No road tunnel" and "trains not tolls".

Speakers said the parkland was vital to sporting clubs and an important part of Melbourne's much loved Royal Park.

Member for Melbourne Adam Bandt said the parkland would potentially become a rats nest of on and off ramps.

"We are going to lose huge chunks of Royal Park. This baseball diamond where we are at the moment is going to go and it's going to become LA-style flyovers going right past people's houses," he told reporters.

Mr Bandt said people who where due to move into an apartment complex across the road from the park in the next few months will now have a flyover 50m from their windows.

"We are going to make sure that this area of inner Melbourne remains the green lungs of the city and that there are parklands where all the people that live here can bring their kids to play," he said.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/07/21/14/13/fears-park-to-go-for-melb-link-road




Tony Abbott has promised funding
Kevin Rudd has declined

The proposed EastWest project runs right through the centre of the electorate ( ... including on and off ramps)

A compulsory acquisition order will be made on several hundred homes and businesses - but details are being kept under wraps till after the Federal Election, by Premier Napthine

It was THIS ...


Quote:

Urban jazz hits a sour note June 15 2002 The ink on the publicity puff for Fitzroy's latest building proposal was hardly dry when the grass-roots movement against it began to stir. In an early Victorian cottage in a narrow street in the heart of Fitzroy, Geoff Barbour's phone was ringing. What happened next is something of a parable of the times, illustrating the political momentum and power that communities can generate when they perceive a threat in their back yard. Angry residents told Barbour they had heard that the proposal involved an eight-storey, futuristic-looking castle with 126 apartments. They had heard the designer had described the proposed complex as "urban jazz". More strangely, the development was called something like "nkya". As president of the Fitzroy Residents Association, Barbour was one of the first contacts for locals concerned that their quiet neighbourhood was about to be transformed into what they feared would be "visual cacophony". Residents soon discovered that a planning application had been lodged with the City of Yarra for a $70 million development that was very edgy in design, very large and included shops, licensed premises, office space and car parks - all in a heritage overlay area. Within 48 hours, more than 100 locals from near the site bound by Napier, Kerr, Argyle and Young Streets had held a public meeting and formed a working party. People with experience in town planning, design, law, websites and writing stepped forward to develop the weapons of urban conflict. (Architect) Ivan Rijavec says that while the nyka issue was being portrayed as a battle by the local media, he had contacted the opponents and suggested getting together to discuss the project. "Unfortunately the system that is in place is one that automatically ambles towards that sort of . . . adversarial, confronting situation." He has received some "pretty interesting e-mails" and the website address at the site, urbanjazz.com.au, had at one stage been mysteriously blanked out and replaced with urbanjoke.com. ( ... my contribution - on a step-ladder - at 1 am) More ... http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/06/14/1023864346813.html

... that STARTED the surge of Greens support in the electorate of Melbourne

the cheer when he goes down will be humungeous.

I cant wait to cheer.. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D  :P

on ya matty trust you are on the button with this one... not long now.

buzzanddidj wrote on Aug 8^th, 2013 at 1:41pm:

It may not be preferences at ALL, that determines the outcome Fears park to go for Melbourne link road July 21, 2013 Angry inner Melbourne residents fear precious parkland will be turned into a freeway overpass as part of Melbourne's East West Link road project. Ross Straw Field on the edge of Royal Park is home to a baseball club, soccer and cricket clubs, but will become an LA-style road flyover when the East West Link is built, the Greens say. On Sunday about 150 local residents gathered at the field to protest against the road. Protesters held up signs saying "No road tunnel" and "trains not tolls". Speakers said the parkland was vital to sporting clubs and an important part of Melbourne's much loved Royal Park. Member for Melbourne Adam Bandt said the parkland would potentially become a rats nest of on and off ramps. "We are going to lose huge chunks of Royal Park. This baseball diamond where we are at the moment is going to go and it's going to become LA-style flyovers going right past people's houses," he told reporters. Mr Bandt said people who where due to move into an apartment complex across the road from the park in the next few months will now have a flyover 50m from their windows. "We are going to make sure that this area of inner Melbourne remains the green lungs of the city and that there are parklands where all the people that live here can bring their kids to play," he said. http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/07/21/14/13/fears-park-to-go-for-melb-link-road Tony Abbott has promised funding Kevin Rudd has declined The proposed EastWest project runs right through the centre of the electorate ( ... including on and off ramps) A compulsory acquisition order will be made on several hundred homes and businesses - but details are being kept under wraps till after the Federal Election, by Premier Napthine It was THIS ... Quote: Urban jazz hits a sour note June 15 2002 The ink on the publicity puff for Fitzroy's latest building proposal was hardly dry when the grass-roots movement against it began to stir. In an early Victorian cottage in a narrow street in the heart of Fitzroy, Geoff Barbour's phone was ringing. What happened next is something of a parable of the times, illustrating the political momentum and power that communities can generate when they perceive a threat in their back yard. Angry residents told Barbour they had heard that the proposal involved an eight-storey, futuristic-looking castle with 126 apartments. They had heard the designer had described the proposed complex as "urban jazz". More strangely, the development was called something like "nkya". As president of the Fitzroy Residents Association, Barbour was one of the first contacts for locals concerned that their quiet neighbourhood was about to be transformed into what they feared would be "visual cacophony". Residents soon discovered that a planning application had been lodged with the City of Yarra for a $70 million development that was very edgy in design, very large and included shops, licensed premises, office space and car parks - all in a heritage overlay area. Within 48 hours, more than 100 locals from near the site bound by Napier, Kerr, Argyle and Young Streets had held a public meeting and formed a working party. People with experience in town planning, design, law, websites and writing stepped forward to develop the weapons of urban conflict. (Architect) Ivan Rijavec says that while the nyka issue was being portrayed as a battle by the local media, he had contacted the opponents and suggested getting together to discuss the project. "Unfortunately the system that is in place is one that automatically ambles towards that sort of . . . adversarial, confronting situation." He has received some "pretty interesting e-mails" and the website address at the site, urbanjazz.com.au, had at one stage been mysteriously blanked out and replaced with urbanjoke.com. ( ... my contribution - on a step-ladder - at 1 am) More ... http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/06/14/1023864346813.html ... that STARTED the surge of Greens support in the electorate of Melbourne

Just a quick question, I believe the roads in the city are either a state or local government issue, so besides running around like a monkey with its arse on fire, what the bugger is that moron bandt going to do?

He can't do anyting in federal parliment, how is he going to get things done in state parliment, talk about a wasted vote.

big ole we have a part green local govt in the ACT .. and you should see what they are allowing to be done..

now the smallest piece of green park land.. has a sign on it telling us its going to be built on..... Burley Griffin must be spinning in his grave...as for knocking down trees..

well they put coloured netting around now so we dont see what they are doing...

its the green way..

dont do as I do do as I say.

this is developers paradise.

cods wrote on Aug 8^th, 2013 at 1:56pm:

we have a part green local govt in the ACT

ONE SEAT - in the Legislative Assembly

buzzanddidj wrote on Aug 8^th, 2013 at 2:08pm:

[quote author=cods link=1375928123/11#11 date=1375934183] we have a part green local govt in the ACT

ONE SEAT - in the Legislative Assembly




you are right but that is new....

all the damage has been done with them sharing power with Labor..

and they are still doing just that...

as it was a hung govt again............

this place is a mess its filthy they are even building a 10 lane highway through the place....no kidding..the L.A. of the future.imagine all those cars all that carbon all stuck here thanks to the mountains that surround your capital....just like L.A.USA.




but thats ok its only money.. we know lefties dont give a stuff about that little detail.

and as for consultation...lol.

it will be a great joy to see that snide arrogant little turd leave parliament.  I would much rather have a labor person there than a slimy self-absorbed greenie like him.

longie, I heartily endorse your sentiments. The major parties ought to come to agreement never to preference these people and thus consign them to the dustbin.

bambu wrote on Aug 8^th, 2013 at 1:39pm:

Nationals should get with the program...for the greater good of the Coalition.

But thats not the case, because the Liberals are wanting ALP preferences to boot the nationals out.  So what happens is the ALP picks up a seat, the Liberals pick up a seat the Nationals get nothing.  Why cant the Liberals ask for a preference deal that actually increases the Coalition numbers in the house.  All this deal does is take one from its own group.

Verge wrote on Aug 8^th, 2013 at 4:53pm:

bambu wrote on Aug 8th, 2013 at 1:39pm: Nationals should get with the program...for the greater good of the Coalition. But thats not the case, because the Liberals are wanting ALP preferences to boot the nationals out.  So what happens is the ALP picks up a seat, the Liberals pick up a seat the Nationals get nothing.  Why cant the Liberals ask for a preference deal that actually increases the Coalition numbers in the house.  All this deal does is take one from its own group.

they cant win Melbourne so it is irrelevant.  the other seat is either nats or libs.  either way it is a coalition win.

Verge wrote on Aug 8^th, 2013 at 4:53pm:

bambu wrote on Aug 8th, 2013 at 1:39pm: Nationals should get with the program...for the greater good of the Coalition. But thats not the case, because the Liberals are wanting ALP preferences to boot the nationals out.  So what happens is the ALP picks up a seat, the Liberals pick up a seat the Nationals get nothing.  Why cant the Liberals ask for a preference deal that actually increases the Coalition numbers in the house.  All this deal does is take one from its own group.

Fair point. I don't see the point in running a Liberal candidate in Mallee, just keep it with the Nationals.

corporate_whitey wrote on Aug 8^th, 2013 at 1:28pm:

Adam Bandt needs to come out swinging with sensible Left Wing policies restricting the role of capital in the market and advocating for Labor ownership of the means of production to challenge the Labor party to match him.  We need a race to the Left...

True, Whitey. Matty used to be in the Greens, and he said they were like a watermelon - red on the inside.

He joined the Libs soon after that. We might join the communists if Mr Abbott doesn’t get in.

Thoughts?

bogarde73 wrote on Aug 8^th, 2013 at 3:36pm:

it will be a great joy to see that snide arrogant little turd leave parliament.  I would much rather have a labor person there than a slimy self-absorbed greenie like him. longie, I heartily endorse your sentiments. The major parties ought to come to agreement never to preference these people and thus consign them to the dustbin.

I agree

Every party should preference in such a way that the Greens will never get in again

Maqqa wrote on Aug 8^th, 2013 at 11:37pm:

bogarde73 wrote on Aug 8th, 2013 at 3:36pm: it will be a great joy to see that snide arrogant little turd leave parliament.  I would much rather have a labor person there than a slimy self-absorbed greenie like him. longie, I heartily endorse your sentiments. The major parties ought to come to agreement never to preference these people and thus consign them to the dustbin. I agree Every party should preference in such a way that the Greens will never get in again

You don’t like their animal welfare policies?

Please explain.

Karnal wrote on Aug 9^th, 2013 at 12:01am:

Maqqa wrote on Aug 8th, 2013 at 11:37pm: bogarde73 wrote on Aug 8th, 2013 at 3:36pm: it will be a great joy to see that snide arrogant little turd leave parliament.  I would much rather have a labor person there than a slimy self-absorbed greenie like him. longie, I heartily endorse your sentiments. The major parties ought to come to agreement never to preference these people and thus consign them to the dustbin. I agree Every party should preference in such a way that the Greens will never get in again You don’t like their animal welfare policies? Please explain.

they are spoilers.  when holding the balance of power, they voted for so few things that the effective balance of power was the coalition.  It labor wanted something passed they went straight to Abbott.  Going to the Greens was rather pointless with their 96% NO vote record.

Polls taken in the actual seat show the GREENS will just about win it without preferences, they're on about 47% primary, this thread is just another Matty wet dream, immature brats are renowned for them.

Longlyingfool claiming the GREENS are spoilers is funny too, by saying 96% of Labor bills were passed by the coalition is he saying 96% of Labor bills must have been good. Good on you longlyingfool.

skippy. wrote on Aug 9^th, 2013 at 9:11am:

Polls taken in the actual seat show the GREENS will just about win it without preferences, they're on about 47% primary, this thread is just another Matty wet dream, immature brats are renowned for them.

you might just get to see how preferential voting screws the Greens.  if lib preferences go 90% to Labor then Labor WILL slip in front of Bandt and take the seat.

It will be glorious to behold.  I wonder if FD who loves boh the GREENs and PV will feel so happy when the clearly preferred candidate gets beaten by someone coming a distant second?