Will Australian PM make announcement on election date?
Could Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard be preparing her office for an announcement on the general election this week?
Media speculation over a general election announcement have been heightened as Julia Gillard’s office apparently goes into campaign mode. A series of announcements made last week are also being seen as a sign of the government ‘clearing the decks’.
The Government House in Canberra is preparing for a visit by Julia Gillard next week and many think this will herald a start to the election campaign.
Critics of the tough immigration stand by Julia Gillard, have been told by Paul Howes, national secretary of the Australian Workers Union, that although the strict asylum policy plans were disappointing, critics of the plans should work on the government being re-elected rather than using the asylum debate to heap criticism on the government.
Mr Howe made his feelings known in his column for the Sunday Telegraph.
Many senior Labour politicians feel that the tough stance being taken on immigration and asylum seekers could help them to win an election. It is thought that it was Mr Rudd’s soft approach to the problem of increasing numbers of boat people that helped seal his fate. However in focusing purely on immigration, are not other main political issues being ignored? Such as Australia’s climate policy and the rising house prices that are attracting overseas investors and forcing first time buyers out of the market.
Yet a recent poll by Auspoll reveals that Julia Gillard has the approval of the Australian people – 45%, whilst a further 37% are yet to cast their judgement on their new Prime Minister.
Expect to hear a lot more of Julia Gillard if the party does begin its election campaign. The Australian people will then need to make up their minds and decide if Ms Gillard has done enough to restore their faith in the Labour Party.
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