Turnbull talks terror amid poll boost
Malcolm Turnbull is set to deliver a speech outlining the extent of the terrorism threat and how his government is dealing with it.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten during Question Time on Monday. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas
The prime minister’s speech to parliament on Tuesday afternoon comes as the Coalition leads Labor 53-47 per cent on a two-party basis in the latest Newspoll.
The speech was delivered a short time ago – read our developing report here
Only 15 per cent of voters prefer Shorten as the alternative prime minister, the lowest level for any ALP leader in more than a decade and 49 points short of Turnbull’s rating.
The prime minister met with the national security committee of cabinet on Monday – and is addressing the Coalition party room on Tuesday – as he seeks to reassure Australians that everything is being done to ensure their security.
Australia’s terror alert level remains at high, which means an attack is considered likely.
National security issues and Turnbull’s personal popularity have kept the Coalition ahead of Labor since the ousting of Tony Abbott in September.
Shorten on Tuesday rejected suggestions he would be next to lose his job.
“I’m going to keep working every day to make sure that Australians have the best possible choice when it comes to policies on climate change, jobs, education and health care,” he told reporters.
Labor powerbroker Sam Dastyari brushed off the chance of a leadership spill.
“Bill Shorten will not only lead Labor to the next election, he will win the next election.”
Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen said the prime minister was enjoying no more than a honeymoon.
“Malcolm Turnbull’s whole pitch to the Australian people at the moment is ‘my name’s not Tony Abbott’,” he told ABC radio.
“It’s enough to give you a honeymoon, but it’s not enough to win you an election.”
Government minister Jamie Briggs said voters had given up on listening to the negativity of Shorten, telling Sky News the opposition leader had created a “great big hole of his own digging and his own making”.
Deputy Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce cautioned that countering the terrorism threat was a difficult issue.
“This is the time that requires the wisdom of Solomon and incredible persistence” he told reporters.
The Newspoll came amid fears of more terrorist attacks around the world after 130 people were killed in Paris.
Turnbull spent the 10 days attending summits focused on dealing with the threat from Islamic State and other terrorist organisation.
AAP
