Fed:Australians want leaders to be part of the solution:Swan

AAP General News (Australia)
12-09-2008
Fed:Australians want leaders to be part of the solution:Swan

CANBERRA, Dec 9 AAP - Australians want their leaders to be part of the solution, not
part of the problem, Treasurer Wayne Swan says.

The latest Newspoll, released Tuesday, shows support for the governing Labor party
jumped four points since the last survey to 59 per cent - its best result in six months
- while the coalition is languishing at 41 per cent.

"Opinion polls come and go. What really counts in the end is whether people assess
that you are pursuing the national interest," Mr Swan told the Fairfax Radio Network.

"We have been solely focussed during this global financial crisis on pursuing the national
interest and the politics of that comes last by a long, long way as far as we are concerned."

Kevin Rudd's rating as preferred prime minister has also risen three points to 66 per
cent, while Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull's standing has dropped two points to 19
per cent, his worst result since being elected Liberal leader in September.

Mr Swan said people want their leaders to lead and tackle challenges head on and that
is what and the government have been doing.

"Malcolm Turnbull and his team have been entirely negative about the economic security
strategy, the bank guarantee and so on," he said.

"I don't think that's the picture being appreciated by the public who want their leadership
to be part of the solution not part of the problem.

"Increasingly Malcolm Turnbull is part of the problem."

AAP cb/kms

KEYWORD: NEWSPOLL SWAN

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