This does not bode well for the federal ALP, especially when it is coupled with low interest rates, low unemployment and a strong economy:

Bruce Petty

I notice that Jennifer Hewitt has an op. ed. in the Friday edition of the Australian Financial Review saying that the ALP is travelling well under Beazley. It is increasingly confident, as the tacticians judge that the forthcoming grief around the Howard Government's industrial relations reform to be a vote switcher.

Isn't that the old strategy of waiting for the Howard and Costello to slip up?

Remember the fisaco last time on tax cuts? The ALP was seen to oppose them, due to the clever strategy of Beazley, Swan and Smith. They were decisively out manoeuvered.