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.
Advertisement

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...

i think they'll lose. Grant

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


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.

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...

July 21, 2013











Quote:

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



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.

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

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.