Your morning Briefing: Morrison claws back support

Welcome to your 2-minute briefing on the day’s top stories and must-reads.

Hello readers. Here is your 2-minute digest of what’s making news today.

20/09/2018: Prime Minister Scott Morrison at Mount Druitt Hospital announcing a $175 million commitment for 30 MRI licenses around Australia. Hollie Adams/The Australian

ScoMo claws back support

The Coalition is seeing the first signs of political recovery since the August leadership coup, with a two-point lift in popular support as Scott Morrison cements his lead over Bill Shorten as preferred prime minister. An exclusive Newspoll conducted for The Australian has shown a five-point turnaround in the primary vote over the past two weeks, with Labor’s commanding eight-point lead over the ­Coalition narrowing to three points.

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Supplied image obtained Sunday, September 23, 2018 of former foreign minister Julie Bishop speaking to Nine Network journalist Chris Uhlmann during an interview with 60 Minutes. Former foreign minister Julie Bishop has again called for gender targets to address imbalance in the Liberal Party. (AAP Image/Nine Network) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Bishop ruffles feathers

Just weeks after Malcolm Turnbull was cut down as prime minister in a partyroom coup that has resulted in bruising recriminations, his deputy Julie Bishop took to prime-time television last night, giving an interview seen by some colleagues as embarrassing Scott Morrison’s government. Appearing on the Nine Network’s 60 Minutes, Ms Bishop offered her view on issues hurting the new government, including gender quotas and why the prime minister was removed.

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Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister Gayle Tierney speak to the media at Melbourne Polytechnic, Collingwood Campus in Melbourne, Tuesday, September 18, 2018. Premier Daniel Andrews has promised a $220 million program to rebuild TAFES across Victoria. (AAP Image/Andy Brownbill) NO ARCHIVING

MPs fear Andrews’ plans

Key Labor MPs are preparing for the prospect of Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews quitting during the next parliamentary term. Mr Andrews’s future is being discussed among senior Labor figures, with pressure to start preparing for a successor in what is expected to be the second half of Labor’s next term in office. Mr Andrews, 46, is on track to become Victorian Labor’s longest serving leader of the modern era if he remains in the position after the election.

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Trent Dalton back in Darra.

‘Why I do this’

Finally, after more than 15 years as a journalist, countless memorable pieces, multiple awards and his first highly acclaimed novel, feature writer Trent Dalton, 39, is starting to realise why he does what he does, he tells The Australian’s Behind the Media podcast. It took the writing of his 470-page novel, Boy Swallows Universe, inspired by his “somewhat nutty life”, to get his answer.

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(L-R) Jaidyn Stephenson, Jordan de Goey and Travis Varcoe of the Magpies react after De Goey kicked a goal during the First Preliminary Final between the Richmond Tigers and the Collingwood Magpies in Week 3 of the AFL Finals Series at the MCG in Melbourne, Friday, September 21, 2018. (AAP Image/Julian Smith) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Collingwood cruise, Craig backs Cronk

Despite finishing the home-and-away season below West Coast, and losing to the Eagles twice this season including a qualifying final, Collingwood are clear-cut premiership favourites for Saturday’s grand final.

In the NRL, the last thing Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy wants is for Cooper Cronk to miss the grand final. As much as it would help his side’s cause, Bellamy hopes Cronk beats the odds to play on Sunday night at ANZ Stadium.

“I wouldn’t like to see him miss it — I would hate to see him miss it. I will probably give him a ring at some stage. You don’t like seeing anyone hurt and missing a grand final, especially him.”

Craig Bellamy

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Kudelka’s view

Jon Kudelka Letters page cartoon for 24-09-2018Version: Letters Cartoon (1280x720 - Aspect ratio preserved, Canvas added)COPYRIGHT: The Australian's artists each have different copyright agreements in place regarding re-use of their work in other publications.Please seek advice from the artists themselves or the Managing Editor of The Australian regarding re-use.