CANBERRA – Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd voter support has decreased, after miners with a big new tax, a survey showed on Monday, with only a modest support for a measure that has raised the fear for new investments. The Neilsen poll, published a few months from general elections, Rudd’s Labor Party has lost its lead, running level with the opposition Conservatives at 50 percent – and providing ammunition for workers who want the 40 percent tax scrapped.
The survey follows a weekend warning from Australia’s largest miner, BHP Billiton
The government is trying a brave face on the new poll, which could add to pressure on the Prime Minister at least water down the tax, and the doubts about earlier forecasts, analysts are convinced that he was certain to win the next election.
The survey also gives the government backdown on recent policies, including shelves last month of its carbon emissions scheme.
“Polls come and go. What governments need to do is do the right thing for the long term,” Treasurer Wayne Swan told reporters on whether the government had the popularity of new tax assessment.
The survey showed 47 percent of respondents disapproved of the tax, which is due to take effect in 2012 and has outraged resource companies and mining stocks hit hard mid wider market uncertainty caused by economic problems in Europe.
The possible further impact of the tax, the U.S. miner Peabody Energy
BHP Billiton chief Marius Kloppers also proposed a plan on Sunday at the Olympic Dam uranium-copper mining company in Australia to expand – estimated by analysts to cost 20 billion U.S. dollars – was among the projects needed to study in the light of the tax . [ID: nSGE64900M] “The uncertainty is in place. It would be very difficult for any of these projects to approve. But of course we are not going to come out, as long as it is very uncertain about what happens to make blanket statements about things that effect livelihoods of communities, people, employees and so on, “Kloppers told Australian television.
‘No frills’ budget on Tuesday due
Treasurer Swan said the money flowed from the new tax on corporate Australia could cut and turn on pensions companies to encourage all Australians, the impost could be included in a no nonsense state budget on May 11
“The money resulting from the super-source profits will go into the savings of 8 million workers, they will reduce taxes go for 2.4 million small businesses,” he said.
new poll Monday showed Rudd’s approval rating dropped 14 percentage points to 45 percent, while his disapproval rating rose 13 points to 49 percent in recent months, with a general election expected to be held in October.
A News Poll survey showed last week support for the Labor government was down 5 points to 49 percent, while the Conservatives five points obtained up to 51 percent decrease from Rudd the main policies that helped him the power to win in 2007, including of a promised emissions trading policy. [ID: nSGE6420LV]
“This is about the fact that the electorate has woken up to the fact that Kevin Rudd is not the kind of leader that they once hoped he could be,” said veteran political analyst Malcolm Mackerras, University of New South Wales.
“I think three years ago the Australian people were so determined to get rid of (the then Conservative leader) John Howard that she looked for Kevin Rudd virtues that never were,” said Mackerras.
source:reuters
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