SYDNEY — Voters know an election is in the air as Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd does a Robin Hood, taking from the country's rich — in this case the mining industry — and giving to the poor, the recipients of Rudd's costly "reforms."
This year's poll date has yet to be declared, but judging by the uproar over Rudd's latest "reform" and the harsh judgment in public opinion polls, Canberra election plotters will delay the date to suit their strategy. The ruling Labor Party is calling in all favors to try to claw back losses from a voter backlash.
Fast-moving Rudd's rating in the widely regarded Newspoll has fallen to the lowest level since he swept aside years of conservative rule under Liberal Party leader John Howard three years ago. His "personal satisfaction" rating is down 11 points to 39 percent. This follows a series of broken promises such as the delay of his carbon pollution reduction plan, end to subsidized housing insulation and imposition of a supertax on cigarettes.