ID :
16124
Sat, 08/16/2008 - 19:27
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/16124
The shortlink copeid
Libs gallop to finish in WA election
Western Australian Premier Alan Carpenter seems to be a betting man - but he may not be betting on the future of his government.
Mr Carpenter announced millions of dollars of extra funding for WA's racing carnivals.
But with two polls showing the resurgent Liberals are neck and neck with the government, the odds on Labor retaining government at the election on September 6are looking less certain.
A Newspoll, published in The Weekend Australian, found the Liberals havedramatically closed the gap on Labor.
Labor's lead has narrowed to just 51-49 on a two-party preferred basis.
Primary support for the Liberals and Nationals has surged by seven percentage pointsto 42 per cent - the same as Labor.
A second poll, published in the West Australian, puts Labor ahead by a nose - just0.4 per cent.
But the Liberals were ahead in four of five key marginal seats sampled.
With Labor's tactic of going to the polls early appearing to have backfired, the Liberals announced they would introduce fixed four-year terms if they wongovernment.
The move would force governments to serve out their full terms.
Opposition spokesman for electoral affairs, Norman Moore said the "sheer arrogance" of Labor going to the polls six months early convinced the Liberals to push forchange.
"The Liberals will therefore legislate to bring in a requirement that elections beheld in February or March every four years," Mr Moore said.
He said people were angry at being forced to vote early.
Mr Carpenter headed to the Belmont racecourse for his election announcement of theday - an extra $6.5 million for Perth's Railway Stakes racing carnival.
The carnival would become an "iconic invitational event", with prizemoney triplingto $3 million next year, Mr Carpenter said.
"The race will be timed to follow-on from the Melbourne Cup and will form the centrepiece of an international festival, celebrating the best that WesternAustralian racing and pacing has to offer," he said.
Mr Carpenter promised an extra $30 million over five years for regional racecoursesif Labor won the election.
Meanwhile Treasurer Eric Ripper called on the Liberals to have their policies costedby the Treasury Department.
"So far all we are getting from the opposition are vague ideas and half-bakedconcepts," he said.
Mr Ripper also pointed to a financial statement released by the Treasury Department,saying it showed the state's finances were in excellent shape.
The statement showed the government's three per cent efficiency dividend, introducedin May, had successfully cut costs, he said.
Mr Carpenter announced millions of dollars of extra funding for WA's racing carnivals.
But with two polls showing the resurgent Liberals are neck and neck with the government, the odds on Labor retaining government at the election on September 6are looking less certain.
A Newspoll, published in The Weekend Australian, found the Liberals havedramatically closed the gap on Labor.
Labor's lead has narrowed to just 51-49 on a two-party preferred basis.
Primary support for the Liberals and Nationals has surged by seven percentage pointsto 42 per cent - the same as Labor.
A second poll, published in the West Australian, puts Labor ahead by a nose - just0.4 per cent.
But the Liberals were ahead in four of five key marginal seats sampled.
With Labor's tactic of going to the polls early appearing to have backfired, the Liberals announced they would introduce fixed four-year terms if they wongovernment.
The move would force governments to serve out their full terms.
Opposition spokesman for electoral affairs, Norman Moore said the "sheer arrogance" of Labor going to the polls six months early convinced the Liberals to push forchange.
"The Liberals will therefore legislate to bring in a requirement that elections beheld in February or March every four years," Mr Moore said.
He said people were angry at being forced to vote early.
Mr Carpenter headed to the Belmont racecourse for his election announcement of theday - an extra $6.5 million for Perth's Railway Stakes racing carnival.
The carnival would become an "iconic invitational event", with prizemoney triplingto $3 million next year, Mr Carpenter said.
"The race will be timed to follow-on from the Melbourne Cup and will form the centrepiece of an international festival, celebrating the best that WesternAustralian racing and pacing has to offer," he said.
Mr Carpenter promised an extra $30 million over five years for regional racecoursesif Labor won the election.
Meanwhile Treasurer Eric Ripper called on the Liberals to have their policies costedby the Treasury Department.
"So far all we are getting from the opposition are vague ideas and half-bakedconcepts," he said.
Mr Ripper also pointed to a financial statement released by the Treasury Department,saying it showed the state's finances were in excellent shape.
The statement showed the government's three per cent efficiency dividend, introducedin May, had successfully cut costs, he said.
