We might actually have a competition this election

By WIll Gray

Ever since Malcolm Turnbull knifed some other bloke who was PM last year (Tony something, I forget), the Coalition has been cruising towards a resounding victory in the upcoming election – whenever that may be.

A series of polls have put Turnbull’s party in a commanding position, with Labor in a seemingly hopeless, Bill Shorten-led quagmire of indecision and blandness.

Well, not so much anymore. The latest Newspoll has Shorten’s Labor completely catching up to the Coalition, with a 50-50 share of the vote on a two-party preferred basis. That’s a dramatic improvement from the 53-47 lead the Government had previously enjoyed.

Of course, Billy-boy has a fair bit of catching up to do in the preferred PM sweepstakes: The Prime Minister is currently wiping the floor with the Leader of the Opposition, 55%-21%, and betting markets have the Coalition at $1.14 compared to Labor’s five bucks.

Still though – it seems as though Malcolm Turnbull’s dithering on tax reform, gay marriage and perhaps even the Sydney lockout laws – which are more of a State issue but still reflect badly on the Liberal party – might finally be making some impact on the PM’s previously teflon armour.