The weekend results, in particular the way they’re being read, haven’t only confirmed Labor’s trajectory but in doing so, have given the opposition, and Shorten especially, a huge confidence boost.
Articles on Mayo byelection
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The results are a deep disappointment for the government, which had hoped it might snatch at least one of the Braddon or Longman, and had hopes of winning Mayo although it quickly gave these up.
With just over a week until the Super Saturday byelections, there is great interest in each of the five seats in play, including Mayo in South Australia.
It’s very hard for a crossbencher to get into the House of Representatives. But when they do, these small players can be difficult to blast out.
With the contest for the five ‘Super Saturday’ byelections heating up, Longman hangs in the balance, while Rebekha Sharkie has a solid lead in Mayo.
The inflammatory ad runs as the government is making a last ditch effort against the odds to gather Senate support for the company tax legislation, due to be voted on this week.
While the Turnbull government’s ratings have improved, the focus on its tax policies and the Barnaby Joyce story may be holding back its vote.
Michelle Grattan speaks with Deep Saini about the week in Australian politics.
The poll was commissioned by the Australia Institute, a progressive think tank.
Michelle Grattan speaks with Deep Saini about the week in politics.
The ALP just has to suck it up and throw itself into battle, because the stakes are very high.
The byelections, which span four states, are especially crucial for opposition leader Bill Shorten, because four are in ALP seats and two of those are on wafer thin margins.
Liberal backbench senator Dean Smith will challenge on Saturday his party’s decision not to field a candidate in the byelection for the federal seat of Perth.
While Labor is likely to win all four of the upcoming byelections in seats it holds, Rebekha Sharkie faces a tougher fight in the South Australian seat of Mayo.
