Liberal resurgence in latest poll not linked to One Nation deal, Francis says – ABC Online

Posted February 18, 2017 16:42:34

The WA Liberal Party has denied its surge in the polls was due to a preference deal with Pauline Hanson's One Nation, instead attributing the gain to a growing lack of faith in the Labor Party.

A ReachTEL poll published in a weekend newspaper revealed the two parties are neck-and-neck at 50-50 on two-party preferred terms, as the state heads towards an election on March 11.

It is the strongest result for the WA Liberals in almost two years, with the party lagging in Newpoll results on a two-party preferred basis since March 2015.

Cabinet minister Joe Francis would today not say whether the latest figures came as a relief, but instead pointed the finger at Opposition leader Mark McGowan.

"I hope that Western Australians and voters are starting to realise the slick fraud that is Mark McGowan," Mr Francis said.

"You don't have to look too far through his policy announcements to realise most of them are totally unfunded.

"They are pie in the sky stuff."

Mr Francis denied the stronger result was due to the preference deal with One Nation, revealed last week, which sees the Liberals preference the Queensland-based party over their traditional allies the WA Nationals in the Upper House.

"If you look down into the details of the poll it will tell you that's not the case," Mr Francis said.

The poll asked respondents, "Do you agree with the Liberals' decision to enter into a preference deal with One Nation?"

Some 54.2 per cent of respondents disagreed, while 15 per cent were undecided.

However, of undecided voters, almost nine percent said they were more likely to vote for the Liberals, while 53 per cent said they would be less likely.

The poll also revealed Mr McGowan's approval rating as preferred Premier dropped, but he still led 53-47.

Mr McGowan would not be drawn on the negative result.

"Polls will go up and down, that's the history of polls and I've always said it is a big mountain to climb to win the election," he said.

"But I am up for the fight, I've got the experience, my team is excellent.

"We've got the right candidates, the right policies."

Topics: government-and-politics, elections, wa

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Liberal resurgence in latest poll not linked to One Nation deal, Francis says - ABC Online