Recent political polling in New South Wales, Australia, indicates a shift in voter sentiment ahead of the state election. A new Demos poll shows the Liberals gaining five percentage points to 25%, while One Nation has dropped from 27% to 23%. Labor remains in the lead with 32%, though this is down from the 37% primary vote that secured Chris Minns' government in 2023.
Strategists are focusing on the composition of the next parliament and whether Minns can achieve a majority. The Liberal opposition, under Kellie Sloane, is pursuing a low-risk strategy, concentrating on local campaigns and targeting marginal Labor seats. In contrast, Labor has been slower to announce candidates. Party figures express growing anxiety about One Nation's potential challenge in seats across the Central Coast, Hunter, and Newcastle regions. The outcome of the Secret Harbour by-election in Western Australia has amplified concerns about the volatility of traditionally blue-collar Labor territory.
One Nation's NSW leader, Mike Newman, will contest Cessnock, a seat with similar demographics to those that contributed to the Secret Harbour result. Neighboring seats like Swansea, Maitland, and Wallsend are also under scrutiny as working-class voters, concerned about housing affordability, migration, and the cost of living, appear to be drifting towards Pauline Hanson's party. This trend extends to the South Coast, Camden, and Penrith, where issues like mortgage stress and population growth are prominent.
Labor's challenge lies not solely in winning seats but in consolidating its position. The government has been criticized for not building a compelling record of achievements in its first term. While Minns is personally popular, he lacks the broad appeal of some other state leaders. Minns has also distanced his public image from that of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, with federal Labor's standing seen as a potential liability in some electorates. Albanese is often de-emphasized or cropped out of Minns' social media imagery. Concerns also exist that Minns is a polarizing figure among progressive voters, potentially leading to a vote leakage to the Greens, particularly due to backlash over protest laws and the government's stance on Israel.
The Liberals face a similar challenge in balancing appeals to disaffected conservative voters without aligning too closely with One Nation. The loss of Camden in 2023, partly due to a One Nation "Just Vote 1" campaign, has made Liberal strategists keen to limit vote leakage and avoid formal preference arrangements that could be exploited by Labor.
In media news, rumors suggest that Carrie Bickmore may be leaving her 2Day FM afternoon slot at SCA following the company's merger with Seven West Media, potentially moving to KIIS FM. The report notes that her co-host, Tommy Little, might not join her, with their relationship reportedly having cooled.
Meanwhile, former Mamamia "The Quicky" podcast host Claire Murphy, who was laid off in May, has launched her own show, "The Solo Bureau," and signed a deal with podcast network Acast for monetization. Murphy addressed lingering questions about her redundancy after new hosts, Charlotte Mortlock and Tamsin Rose, were appointed to "The Quicky." She noted that the departure of the previous executive producer left the show needing new staff and acknowledged that personal connections can influence hiring in the media industry.
In legal matters, former "My Kitchen Rules" contestant Claudean Uamaki-Mu pleaded guilty to two counts of child cruelty and received a two-year prison sentence, suspended immediately for parole. Uamaki-Mu stated she made a financial decision not to continue defending herself against the charges after selling her home to support her husband, who had faced similar accusations but was acquitted.
Separately, Bali-based entrepreneur Jamie McIntyre has issued a concerns notice to Nine's "A Current Affair" regarding a January segment. McIntyre claims the broadcast falsely portrayed him as the subject of a criminal inquiry. "A Current Affair" stated it stands by its story and will vigorously defend any defamation proceedings. McIntyre is seeking a correction, apology, removal of the broadcast, and $40,000 in legal costs, or a $600,000 settlement.
Regarding television, despite earlier reports that Seven might axe "The Voice," a casting call has been issued for a 16th season in 2027. However, sources suggest Seven lacks the funds for an additional show, and the casting call could be a tactic to reassure production crews. An official announcement is pending.
Finally, the nature of the relationship between News24 host Laura Jayes and Commonwealth Bank CEO Matt Comyn remains unclear, with conflicting reports on the timeline and status of their romance. News24 has not commented on potential internal discussions regarding journalistic integrity.