Fed: Latham plays down popularity

AAP General News (Australia)
02-10-2004
Fed: Latham plays down popularity

Opposition Leader MARK LATHAM is playing down his strengthening popularity as the election
year begins in Parliament House today.

A Newspoll published in The Australian newspaper suggests Mr LATHAM is in an election-winning
position, attracting the strongest support for a Labor leader in years.

It says Labor's primary vote is level with the Coalition's for the first time since
September 2002 -- at 41 per cent.

But Mr LATHAM's reaffirming his claim to underdog status, saying he takes all polls
with a grain of salt.

Labor frontbencher KEVIN RUDD, who considered running against Mr LATHAM in December,
is predicting that Mr HOWARD will hold out on calling an election until November.

AAP RTV rmg/sb/as

KEYWORD: NEWSPOLL LABOR (CANBERRA)

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