Major support for national anti-corruption watchdog

The majority of voters in two of Tasmania’s most marginal federal electorates support the establishment of a national anti-corruption watchdog, new polling shows. LATEST >>

THE majority of voters in two of Tasmania’s most marginal federal electorates support the establishment of a national anti-corruption watchdog, new polling shows.

The polling by uComms and commissioned by the Australia Institute also reveals backing for a strengthening of political advertising laws.

More than 800 voters in each of the seats of Lyons (held by Labor MP Brian Mitchell) and Bass (Liberal Bridget Archer) on the night of Monday this week.

On a two party preferred basis, support for Labor in Lyons was 52.8 per cent and 47.2 per cent for the Liberals.

Federal Labor MP for Lyson Brian Mitchell talks to Brighton Deputy Mayor Barbara Curran in Brighton on Thursday, November 25, 2021.

In Bass, there was marginal support for the Liberals (52.4 per cent), compared to 47.6 per cent for Labor.

The polling showed more than 89 per cent of voters in both Lyons and Bass support the setting up of a Commonwealth Integrity Commission.

In Bass, 76.3 per cent of voters said they were more likely to vote for Ms Archer, after her decision to cross the floor to bring on a debate about a federal integrity commission.

Meanwhile, 84.4 per cent of Lyons voters support truth in political advertising laws while 85.5 per cent back the idea in Bass.

“Increasing integrity and accountability measures has never been more important,’’ the Australia Institute Tasmania director Eloise Carr said.

Federal member for Bass, Bridget Archer, and University of Tasmania pro Vice Chancellor (north) Dom Geraghty at the announcement of the construction tender for the next stage of UTAS' northern transformation in Launceston. Picture: PATRICK GEE

“This polling research shows the issues are resonating with voters from all sides of politics.”

Ms Carr said Tasmania would be key to the 2022 federal election, and said the research showed voters wanted more action from elected representatives.

“It in politicians’ own interest to legislate key accountability reforms to help restore public confidence in our democracy,’’ she said.

“Australia has laws against misleading and deceptive conduct in trade and commerce, but not in politics.

“It is reasonable for Tasmanians to expect this level of protection when it comes to our political debate, if not higher.”

Political heavyweights fly into Tasmania as election looms

OPPOSITION Leader Anthony Albanese was among the first people to land in Tasmania after its borders were lifted coming on a flying visit to the marginal electorates of Bass and Braddon.

It was another sign that a federal election is close to being called.

The slimmed down Labor Leader said he was a “lean, mean fighting machine” and ready to take on the 2022 Federal election campaign.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is due in Tasmania on Thursday to launch the state’s new Antarctic icebreaker in Hobart.

With 2021 rapidly drawing to a close, it seems probable that the next federal election will happen in the first half of 2022 - probably March.

The Leader of the Australian Labor Party, Anthony Albanese. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

Mr Albanese said Labor was now in the pre-caretaker period of the election.

He was last in Tasmania when he was locked out of Sydney for three months.

Mr Albanese said Tasmania’s borders would have been open much sooner if the government had understood Australia was in a race to get its populaton vaccinated and should have had purpose-built quarantine faciities around the nation early on in the pandemic.

“Our vision for Tasmania is about high-value manufacturing. It’s about value-adding in agriculture, it’s about value-adding from our resources sector. It’s about embracing the opportunity that is here in Tasmania for renewable energy to be exported to the north island, which is what we need to do,” he said.

Mr Albanese also called for a National Anti-Corruption Commission to be established immeadiately.

Anthony Albanese greets Senator Anne Urquhart and a volunteer in Devonport

Asked how he would tip Tasmania’s marginal seats back into Labor’s favour, Mr Albanese said the message was very clear.

“Here in Tasmania people want jobs. They want secure work. They want a government that actually looks after the whole of Tasmania, not just marginal electorates,” he said.

“The goverment has been in office now for almost a decade. They’re asking for a second decade in office. Do Tasmanians think that this is as good as it gets?

“Can you imagine the rorting of taxpayer funds that will occur in a fourth term if this Government gets its way?”

“We have outstanding candidates. I’m very pleased that Ross Hart has committed to having another crack as the member for Bass. And I’ll work as well with Chris Lynch in Braddon, Brian Mitchell in Lyons and Julie Collins in Franklin.

“And we’ll have a crack as well in the electorate of Clark.”