Pollsters' leaked plea to Dutton as campaign faltered: ‘Lighten up, offer tax cuts'
Leaked documents show the Liberals' pollster raised the alarm about the opposition's thin tax policy and told Peter Dutton he had to lighten up as the opposition leader's popularity cratered and his party careened towards a historic loss on Saturday.
Focus group studies conducted by pollster Michael Turner and seen by this masthead had been picking up a wave of negative opinions about Dutton, including an observation from one voter that he 'lacks empathy on screen when he talks' and another stating, 'I just don't like the guy, he gives me negative vibes.'
As recriminations over the loss escalate and Liberals jockey to be the party's next leader, the leaked documents show voter feedback prompted Turner, of polling firm Freshwater Research, to tell Dutton to ditch his hardened and sometimes wooden exterior.
In a document titled 'Project Majura' presented to Dutton and the tightest group of campaign operatives on April 30, just days out from the election, Turner wrote: 'Enjoy the campaign, with a relaxed, sincere tone, using relatable language.
'Convey a more relaxed and enthusiastic presence that signals Dutton is enjoying the campaign and engaging with voters.
'Ensure public engagements are delivered in a way that shows Dutton, and the Liberals, listen to voters, and understand what they are going through right now.'
Turner and Freshwater are now under fire for providing the Liberals polling that substantially overestimated the Coalition's primary vote in both public and internal research, giving Dutton a false sense of confidence about his election chances and policy.
Several public polls, including this masthead's Resolve Political Monitor, were closer to the mark after voters turned away from the Coalition over its stances on nuclear, its abortive plan to stop public servants working from home, and economic messages that failed to cut through.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
3 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Liberal Senator Anne Ruston suggests Chris Bowen should 'have been fired years ago' in scathing takedown of Energy Minister
Liberal Senator Anne Ruston has issued a scathing assessment of Labor's policies under Chris Bowen, declaring the Energy Minister "would have been fired years ago" if he had been working for a private business. Following its emphatic victory in the May federal election, Labor has doubled down on its controversial renewables-led push to achieve net zero emissions. Speaking at the National Press Club on Tuesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese suggested his party's victory demonstrated a clear mandate for the plan, despite ongoing community concerns surrounding several high profile projects. Mr Bowen, too, has doubled down on the push, insisting renewables remain the "cleanest and cheapest" way to power the national grid. However, Senator Ruston was quick to push back against the claims, accusing both men of "completely destroying the very thing that underpins our economy". "The Prime Minister just seems to be completely blind to any other solution, whatever that might be, so that Australians can have a reliable and affordable power," she told Sky News following Mr Albanese's address. "All he seems to caring about is his pursuit of this ideological sort of renewable energy future that he's proving not to be deliverable. "The government constantly is providing subsidies and handouts and the like of taxpayers' money to fix up a problem that is of their own making. "Our power bills were supposed to have gone down by this year. Clearly, the complete opposite's happened with increases of over $1,000." Senator Ruston then singled out Mr Bowen for particular criticism, as she questioned why Labor continued to stand by what she described as a "failed policy pursuit". "If Chris Bowen was an executive in any sensible company around Australia he would have been fired years ago and yet he still stays in this job completely destroying the very thing that underpins our economy and that's affordable and reliable energy," she said. The Senator's takedown of the government's energy plans comes as the Coalition continues to struggle internally over its own stance on net zero. Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce and Senator Matt Canavan have been amongst a handful of high-profile members pushing for the opposition to scrap their commitment to the emissions reduction target. However, others within the Liberal Party have warned the Coalition risks losing even more support in urban areas if it abandons the pledge, with Labor and Teal independents both positioning themselves as strong on the environment. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has said the Coalition would review its stance on the issue and Senator Ruston was similarly coy when she addressed the party's stance. "We're taking a very considered approach to making sure that the Coalition's energy policy going to the next election is one that will deliver reliable and affordable power, at the same time as making sure emissions reduction is part of the mix," she said.
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
State on edge over potential snap election call
Tasmania is in a state of political limbo, with the island's governor considering "all available options" before potentially approving a snap election. Embattled Liberal minority Premier Jeremy Rockliff on Tuesday evening visited Governor Barbara Baker to formally request an early poll. Mr Rockliff lost a no-confidence motion in parliament on Thursday, but has refused to stand down as convention dictates, instead vowing to take Tasmania back to the ballot box. In a statement, Ms Baker's secretary said she would take "the time necessary to give due consideration to all available options". "By the end of the week the premier will meet with Her Excellency again. Further statements will be made in due course," the secretary said. Mr Rockliff said he respected Ms Baker's stance and he remained committed to serving the people of Tasmania. The Liberals, who hold 14 of 35 lower-house seats, have governed in minority since being returned to power at the March 2024 poll. Ms Baker could direct the Liberals to find another leader to avoid an election, or ask Labor opposition leader Dean Winter to try to form a workable government. However, Mr Winter's party, which holds just 10 seats, has ruled out an alliance with the Greens to form a minority. Labor brought forward the no-confidence motion in Mr Rockliff because of his budget "mismanagement" and delays and cost blowouts to new Bass Strait ferries. The motion was passed with support from the Greens and three crossbench independents. Battle lines for an election have already been drawn, with the Liberals abandoning potential state asset sales and announcing former federal MP Bridget Archer was prepared to run. If an election is called, it would be Tasmania's fourth in the space of seven years. Tasmania is in a state of political limbo, with the island's governor considering "all available options" before potentially approving a snap election. Embattled Liberal minority Premier Jeremy Rockliff on Tuesday evening visited Governor Barbara Baker to formally request an early poll. Mr Rockliff lost a no-confidence motion in parliament on Thursday, but has refused to stand down as convention dictates, instead vowing to take Tasmania back to the ballot box. In a statement, Ms Baker's secretary said she would take "the time necessary to give due consideration to all available options". "By the end of the week the premier will meet with Her Excellency again. Further statements will be made in due course," the secretary said. Mr Rockliff said he respected Ms Baker's stance and he remained committed to serving the people of Tasmania. The Liberals, who hold 14 of 35 lower-house seats, have governed in minority since being returned to power at the March 2024 poll. Ms Baker could direct the Liberals to find another leader to avoid an election, or ask Labor opposition leader Dean Winter to try to form a workable government. However, Mr Winter's party, which holds just 10 seats, has ruled out an alliance with the Greens to form a minority. Labor brought forward the no-confidence motion in Mr Rockliff because of his budget "mismanagement" and delays and cost blowouts to new Bass Strait ferries. The motion was passed with support from the Greens and three crossbench independents. Battle lines for an election have already been drawn, with the Liberals abandoning potential state asset sales and announcing former federal MP Bridget Archer was prepared to run. If an election is called, it would be Tasmania's fourth in the space of seven years. Tasmania is in a state of political limbo, with the island's governor considering "all available options" before potentially approving a snap election. Embattled Liberal minority Premier Jeremy Rockliff on Tuesday evening visited Governor Barbara Baker to formally request an early poll. Mr Rockliff lost a no-confidence motion in parliament on Thursday, but has refused to stand down as convention dictates, instead vowing to take Tasmania back to the ballot box. In a statement, Ms Baker's secretary said she would take "the time necessary to give due consideration to all available options". "By the end of the week the premier will meet with Her Excellency again. Further statements will be made in due course," the secretary said. Mr Rockliff said he respected Ms Baker's stance and he remained committed to serving the people of Tasmania. The Liberals, who hold 14 of 35 lower-house seats, have governed in minority since being returned to power at the March 2024 poll. Ms Baker could direct the Liberals to find another leader to avoid an election, or ask Labor opposition leader Dean Winter to try to form a workable government. However, Mr Winter's party, which holds just 10 seats, has ruled out an alliance with the Greens to form a minority. Labor brought forward the no-confidence motion in Mr Rockliff because of his budget "mismanagement" and delays and cost blowouts to new Bass Strait ferries. The motion was passed with support from the Greens and three crossbench independents. Battle lines for an election have already been drawn, with the Liberals abandoning potential state asset sales and announcing former federal MP Bridget Archer was prepared to run. If an election is called, it would be Tasmania's fourth in the space of seven years. Tasmania is in a state of political limbo, with the island's governor considering "all available options" before potentially approving a snap election. Embattled Liberal minority Premier Jeremy Rockliff on Tuesday evening visited Governor Barbara Baker to formally request an early poll. Mr Rockliff lost a no-confidence motion in parliament on Thursday, but has refused to stand down as convention dictates, instead vowing to take Tasmania back to the ballot box. In a statement, Ms Baker's secretary said she would take "the time necessary to give due consideration to all available options". "By the end of the week the premier will meet with Her Excellency again. Further statements will be made in due course," the secretary said. Mr Rockliff said he respected Ms Baker's stance and he remained committed to serving the people of Tasmania. The Liberals, who hold 14 of 35 lower-house seats, have governed in minority since being returned to power at the March 2024 poll. Ms Baker could direct the Liberals to find another leader to avoid an election, or ask Labor opposition leader Dean Winter to try to form a workable government. However, Mr Winter's party, which holds just 10 seats, has ruled out an alliance with the Greens to form a minority. Labor brought forward the no-confidence motion in Mr Rockliff because of his budget "mismanagement" and delays and cost blowouts to new Bass Strait ferries. The motion was passed with support from the Greens and three crossbench independents. Battle lines for an election have already been drawn, with the Liberals abandoning potential state asset sales and announcing former federal MP Bridget Archer was prepared to run. If an election is called, it would be Tasmania's fourth in the space of seven years.
Perth Now
4 hours ago
- Perth Now
State on edge over potential snap election call
Tasmania is in a state of political limbo, with the island's governor considering "all available options" before potentially approving a snap election. Embattled Liberal minority Premier Jeremy Rockliff on Tuesday evening visited Governor Barbara Baker to formally request an early poll. Mr Rockliff lost a no-confidence motion in parliament on Thursday, but has refused to stand down as convention dictates, instead vowing to take Tasmania back to the ballot box. In a statement, Ms Baker's secretary said she would take "the time necessary to give due consideration to all available options". "By the end of the week the premier will meet with Her Excellency again. Further statements will be made in due course," the secretary said. Mr Rockliff said he respected Ms Baker's stance and he remained committed to serving the people of Tasmania. The Liberals, who hold 14 of 35 lower-house seats, have governed in minority since being returned to power at the March 2024 poll. Ms Baker could direct the Liberals to find another leader to avoid an election, or ask Labor opposition leader Dean Winter to try to form a workable government. However, Mr Winter's party, which holds just 10 seats, has ruled out an alliance with the Greens to form a minority. Labor brought forward the no-confidence motion in Mr Rockliff because of his budget "mismanagement" and delays and cost blowouts to new Bass Strait ferries. The motion was passed with support from the Greens and three crossbench independents. Battle lines for an election have already been drawn, with the Liberals abandoning potential state asset sales and announcing former federal MP Bridget Archer was prepared to run. If an election is called, it would be Tasmania's fourth in the space of seven years.
