- Bligh unveils 20-year infrastructure plan
- Torres Strait pleads for climate change action
- Overcrowding in parliamentary precinct worsens, Opposition says
- Minister apologises for 'boisterous' comment
- Junee senator questions Australian Quarantine rules
- Carbon price 'disastrous' for mining companies
- Local MP urges PM's carbon tax tour to visit Riverina
Labor believe they can win Bennelong
This morning's news is that the ALP's most recent star recruit, Maxine McKew, is to be their candidate in Bennelong in 2007. This means setting aside their previous candidate - a local who was going to fund his own campaign - to bring in a star from outside the electorate. In doing so they send a clear signal that they believe they can win Bennelong this year. Given her profile, this will make Bennelong an even tougher environment for minor parties and independents than it was in 2004.
Last week's Morgan-Crikey poll of Bennelong voters was taken when the choice was "Howard verses an anonymous ALP candidate". This new selection changes everything - it would be interesting to see a new poll that asks about "Howard verses McKew, the prominent journalist as the ALP candidate".