And as Professor Botsman and Eleanor were discussing marginal seats in Victoria - the federal Coalition parties are closely scrutinising voter sentiment polls today following what appears to be a remarkable drop off in support in many marginal seats for the Coalition. Insiders concede that all Victorian Liberals and Nationals face a very tough campaigning year indeed but a Federal Minister from Victoria, Peter McGauran, denies the Coalition is in a state of crisis or even near panic. Heading bush to get in touch with the grass roots might sound like a welcome retreat from the electoral rorts scandal but the Prime Minister can be far from complacent about the Coalition's fortunes in Victoria. A 5 per cent swing at the federal poll would see nine seats fall.
Labor only needs seven seats nationally to win government.
The Coalition has been keeping a close eye on voter attitudes with one Liberal telling the Australian Financial Review that recent Victorian polling was disastrous. The party's State Director, Brian Lochnane refused to discuss internal polling but concedes that winning a third term is always difficult. The party takes no vote for granted. We understand that we've got to earn the right to represent the people of Victoria, and that we will be fighting vigorously to retain every seat that we hold in Victoria and to be competitive in the seats that the Labor Party holds. I'm confident that come election day we will be in front.