This is in complete contrast to Allan Jones' 'Convoy of Inconsequence' and the Infamous but small 'Ditch the Witch' gathering on the lawn of Parliament house. These confected protests were representative of small, fringe groups but were given a great deal of time and space by the media at the time.
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But despite trying to bury the story, there is plenty of evidence that 'One Term Tony' is completely on the nose, right across the nation.
The Mad Monk has been credited with saving the election for Labor in South Australia. And it is expected he will be keeping a low profile in WA for fear of damaging the conservative vote there.
But there is more evidence of Abbott's political stench. As highlighted in the Financial Review, based on the Neilsen polls since the election, the Abbott government had no honeymoon period and following the high water mark of election day, it's popular support has continued to track south. The previous three governments all had a honeymoon period that lasted from one to two years, with average swings to the government of between 2 per cent and 4 per cent during those times.
Clearly Australians think this is the worst government in some time... for many the worst government in their lifetime.
If there was ever any confidence in this government, it is quickly dissipating. As many have stated... in many people's eyes this is the worst Australian government ever.
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It appears not.
Abbott has gone negative faster than any Prime Minister in more than 40 years of Nielsen polls.
Julia Gillard’s net approval went negative for the first time after nine months in office, Malcolm Fraser after 15 months and John Howard after 18 months. Kevin Rudd didn’t go negative for 2 ½ years. For Bob Hawke, it took 3 ½ years.
As we are often reminded, the best way to get a picture of what is going on is to look at all the polls grouped together, over time. Trends are more important than any single reading.
When you do that there is no doubt the Abbott government is continuing to have the worst start, at least in its polling, of any new government over the last 40 years. When you bring together the polls, the repeated gaffes which are often under-reported, the mistakes that are surely being hidden by Peta Credlin's media policy, the international responses (from upsetting Indonesia, to issues such as OSB and offshore processing), the large public protests, and the regular criticisms in more independent media spaces (like on the web)... the only conclusion you can draw is that One Term Tony is leading the Worst government ever.
What's important is that Labor doesn't just sit back and wait for this rabble to implode... we need to get onto the front foot, talk about the visions we have for this country, demonstrate that we are a better alternative, and that we are ready to make the changes within the party that people want to see... greater democratisation of the party and a shift back to the left.