Fed: Oppn leader Simon Crean still trailing in polls

00-00-0000
Fed: Oppn leader Simon Crean still trailing in polls

Opposition leader SIMON CREAN'S attacks on Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD over the latter'sdealings with businessman DICK HONAN have achieved nothing.

A poll published today shows Mr CREAN continues to trail the Prime Minister in voters'perceptions of who would make the better national leader by 62 per cent to 18.

The Newspoll, published in today's Australian newspaper, shows on a primary vote basis,the coalition has maintained its 43 to 36 per cent lead over the Labor opposition.

Among the minor parties, the Greens have maintained a six per cent primary vote, butthe Democrats continue to struggle on two per cent.

Labor has targeted Mr HOWARD for allegedly misleading parliament over his contact withMr HONAN'S Manildra Group ahead of a cabinet decision on ethanol subsidies.

That decision effectively channelled millions of dollars to the Manildra Group withMr HONAN, a prominent Liberal Party supporter, at the company's helm.

The poll's findings suggest Labor's attack has been effectively blunted by voter indifferenceto Mr CREAN'S message.

AAP RTV pa/psm/

KEYWORD: POLL CREAN (SYDNEY)