Fed: Election a battle for Aussie hearts and minds, Hockey says

AAP General News (Australia)
08-21-2007
Fed: Election a battle for Aussie hearts and minds, Hockey says

SYDNEY, Aug 21 AAP - Recent opinion polls prove the upcoming federal election will
be a battle for the government, Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Joe Hockey
says.

The latest Newspoll, published today, shows about 57 per cent of voters expect Labor
to win, compared with just 28 per cent expecting a coalition victory.

The figure has changed little since May.

"We've always known it was going to be a battle. We are fighting for the hearts and
minds of Australians and there's a long way to go," Mr Hockey told reporters today.

Arriving for a cabinet meeting in Sydney, Mr Hockey said Greg Combet's replacement
as ACTU secretary, Jeff Lawrence, has signalled that he is going to intensify the union
campaign.

"Let it be noted that today the union movement are going to intensify its campaign
to gain control of the governments of Australia," Mr Hockey said.

"This represents the greatest involvement by a threatening third force in Australian politics.

"Jeff Lawrence is the iron fist in the silver glove, and I have no doubt he will continue
to carry on the work of Greg Combet (and) yet again take control of the Labor party."

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KEYWORD: NEWSPOLL HOCKEY

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