Fed: Polls not good but we'll survive, says Dem senator
CANBERRA, Aug 6 AAP - The Australian Democrats were clearly not in a good positionelectorally but had shown they had the ability to survive, Queensland Senator Andrew Bartlettsaid today.
He was speaking as a Newspoll published by The Australian newspaper today showed theDemocrats struggling in the midst of in-house tensions, polling just three per cent ofthe national vote compared with 5.4 per cent at last year's federal election.
The same poll showed rival minor party The Greens rising to six per cent.
"The Democrats have been at three per cent before, as recently as 18 months ago," SenatorBartlett told Channel Seven.
"It's obviously not a good position to be in but polls go up and down.
"The Democrats have shown our long-term ability to survive and play the role that wedo play in the system, by virtue of surviving 25 years, which is more than any other minorparty has in Australian political history."
Senator Bartlett said the Democrats' role in Australian politics was one that no otherparty played.
"It's a crucial role and that's why I and other Democrat senators are keen to get onwith playing that role, not just for the good of the party but for the good of the Australianpeople," he said.
He said he was sure the party's fall would bottom out at three per cent.
"We're also focused not just on what the polls say but on what our job is in the Senateand the parliament, which is representing the public and ensuring that issues of concernto those people who don't get represented are raised and are addressed."
AAP dep/mg
KEYWORD: POLL DEMOCRATS
No comments:
Post a Comment