Tony Abbott pays price for broken promises
The harshest and most unpopular federal budget in nearly two decades has slashed support for Tony Abbott's Coalition government before it has even reached its first anniversary, plunging it into a potential poll trough from which it might never recover.
Australians have passed a severe judgment on the Abbott-Joe Hockey formula, branding it unfair, bad for the country and based on broken promises.
The findings suggest the government has made a potentially catastrophic error in gambling that voters would overlook harsh treatment of welfare recipients and lower-paid families if it led to a balanced budget - even if it meant breaking promises.
That decision has instead trashed Mr Abbott's standing and relationship of trust with voters and energised opponents across the political divide, and potentially within his own party.....
The harsh verdict has propelled the ALP to a massive 12 percentage point lead at 56/44 ....Voters agree, with nearly two thirds calling it unfair - 63 per cent, compared to 33 per cent who marked it ''fair''......
....More tellingly, 53 per cent said it would not be good for Australia - the first time in the history of the poll that the budget is regarded as actually bad for the country.....
.....bad as any recorded by Ms Gillard at her weakest point.
Mr Shorten who has surged into positive territory on plus 8 per cent.
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/tony-abbott-pays-price-for-broken-promises-201...
