Article: Train troubles set to cost Brumby votes, poll finds

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Train troubles set to cost Brumby votes, poll finds

Train troubles set to cost Brumby votes, poll finds

    * Melissa Fyfe
    * February 8, 2009

TROUBLE on Melbourne's public transport system is costing the Brumby Government votes, with many Victorians rating Spring Street's delivery of basic services as poor or appalling, according to a Sunday Age readers' poll.

The poll of more than 1000 readers, taken last week after a record heatwave sent the city's train system into meltdown, found that 57 per cent would vote against the Brumby Government because of the recent problems with the public transport system.

Asked about the delivery of basic services ? such as public transport, health, power and water ? only 10 per cent of readers rated the Government's performance as good, while 55 per cent said it was either poor or appalling. One in three readers rated the service delivery as average.

The poll comes after a turbulent summer for Premier John Brumby, with power blackouts, dwindling water supplies and train cancellations compounding other political setbacks such as the sudden resignation of millionaire MP Evan Thornley and a rape charge against former minister Theo Theophanous (a charge he denies).

Half the readers polled backed Mr Brumby as the better premier, and half supported Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu.

Mr Brumby appears to personally have more male support ? 54 per cent of male readers back him, compared with 47 per cent of women. But women are more likely to be easier on the Brumby Government's delivery of services, with 42 per cent of women delivering an "average" verdict, compared with 27 per cent of men.

Government spokesman Luke Enright said the extreme heatwave and recent bushfires have had "some impact" on infrastructure. "But the Government has the right plans in place ? including the $38 billion Transport Plan, record investment in improving schools and our major water projects."

Monash University political scientist Nick Economou said the reader poll had to be taken in context ? it is likely to be skewed by the small sample and the mere fact that the respondents are all Sunday Age readers. It was also taken, he said, in the hottest summer and during a period when the state is always beset by infrastructure problems.

The election is still some time off ? November 2010 ? and held during a much more pleasant time of year, Dr Economou said. "The Government has really struggled so far this year, but they still have some time to sort those problems out," he said.

The pressure, Dr Economou said, was also on Mr Baillieu. "My feeling is that Mr Baillieu has not really exploited the opportunities that have arisen this month. He has not really been able to make much of an impression."

After Labor's challenging summer, Mr Baillieu should have made headway in the official polls, Dr Economou said. If he has not, he could be "in trouble".