Fed Voters say Labor better at handling health

AAP General News (Australia)
04-20-2010
Fed Voters say Labor better at handling health

CANBERRA, April 20 AAP - Voters believe Labor is better able to handle health matters
but the coalition is better at dealing with asylum seekers, the latest Newspoll says.

The poll, published in Tuesday's Australian newspaper shows Opposition Leader Tony
Abbott's popularity is on the rise.

But Labor would still win the next election.

The poll shows 45 per cent believe Labor is best at handling health and Medicare, compared
with 32 per cent for the coalition.

But with the number of unauthorised boat arrivals soaring and the Christmas island
processing centre overflowing with asylum seekers from Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, 44 per
cent thought the coalition best able to handle the asylum seeker issue.

That compared with 26 per cent for Labor. A significant 15 per cent were uncommitted
in their views.

The poll showed Mr Abbott's rating as preferred prime minister lifted two points to
29 per cent over the last three weeks.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was still the nation's favoured leader, but support for him
fell three points to 56 per cent during the same period.

Labor remains in a clear election-winning position, leading the coalition 54 per cent
to 46 per cent on a two-party preferred basis.

The federal government led 56 per cent to 44 per cent three weeks ago, showing the
gap has closed slightly.

AAP mb/maur

KEYWORD: NEWSPOLL

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