Ponting more popular than Turnbull: poll

Malcolm Turnbull must be wondering what he has to do to raise his popularity.
Even Ricky Ponting has more support, despite losing the Ashes series in England for
a second time, according to a new survey.
The latest Essential Research online survey released on Monday found that 47 per
cent of respondents believe the Liberal leader does not have enough control over his
party.
Just 24 per cent of the 1,013 respondents said he had enough control, while eight
per cent said he had too much.
There was more bad news for Mr Turnbull, with 60 per cent of voters saying they
would support Labor if an election was held now, up two points from the previous
poll on a two-party preferred basis.
The coalition fell two points to 40 per cent.
There was also a lack of concrete support for the Liberal/National coalition
continuing.
Respondents were divided as to whether the Liberals should split away from the
Nationals and operate independently.
Whether they should split or stay as a coalition both scored 39 per cent in the
survey, while 21 per cent said they didn't know.
Away from its usual political questions, Essential also asked whether Ricky Ponting
should remain captain of the Australian cricket team after its loss in England.
Fifty-nine per cent said he should continue, while 21 per cent said he should be
replaced.
There was also strong support for the $50 billion contract to sell LNG to China over
the next 20 years with 62 per cent approving the deal. Only 17 per cent disapproved.
Thirty-six per cent also said that the Rudd government should be credited for
winning the contract, although 37 per cent said they didn't know.
Only 15 per cent said the former Howard government should be credited for the deal,
while 11 per cent said it should be the West Australian government.