Fed: Labor research suggests it would narrowly win election

AAP General News (Australia)
08-11-2004
Fed: Labor research suggests it would narrowly win election

SYDNEY, Aug 11 AAP - Research commissioned by Labor suggests it would narrowly win
a federal election but it would be the closest in decades, it was reported today.

The Sydney Morning Herald said the confidential research, if it held through to election
day, suggested Labor would win enough seats to wrest power from the Coalition but not
enough to govern without support from independents.

The paper also quoted "Labor insiders" as saying the research revealed voters increasingly
saw the government as "slippery" or loose with the truth.

The paper said a September 18 election was looking increasingly likely, and that Opposition
Leader Mark Latham put the party on election alert in a rousing party room speech yesterday.

Expectations Prime Minister John Howard would call an election this weekend intensified
within government ranks after he also delivered a party room speech interpreted as his
last this term.

AAP bk/cmc

KEYWORD: POLL LABOR

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