Latest Newspoll - Labor 58 Coalition 42 two-party preferred

"THERE'S more bad news for the Federal Government today with the latest opinion poll showing Labor opening up a huge election-winning lead.

As the second week of the election campaign kicks into full swing, a Newspoll out today shows Labor up two points to 58 per cent on the two-party preferred vote, and the coalition down two points to 42 per cent.

If this 16-point margin were repeated at the ballot box on November 24, the Government would be routed.

The poll, published in The Australian, found Labor leader Kevin Rudd increased his lead as preferred prime minister by two points to lead John Howard 50 per cent to 37.

Labor's primary vote rose three points to 51 per cent, while the coalition's dipped one point to 38 per cent.

The survey was conducted after Labor unveiled a tax policy last week that almost mirrored the Government's package of tax cuts released last Monday.

The Newspoll figures are even more remarkable in that they were taken before Sunday night's leaders' debate, which most commentators judged Mr Rudd to have won.

The poll is certain to send a shudder through Government ranks, as it shows Mr Howard has not just failed to achieve a bounce from a strong week of campaigning - he's actually gone backwards."

Full News.com.au article on latest Newspoll:
 http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22633168-29277,00.html

 

Complete breakdown of The Australian Newspoll:

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/files/newspoll-23oct.pdf