Tag: The Independent Weekly

It’s the economy… My research suggests that Rust Belt populism is rooted in the region’s loss of locally owned industry — not simply because of economics but because of how that loss hollowed out the community structure that once connected people to politics, leaving residents alienated and resentful. I just think this is the modern condition.” While Weatherill said he had tried to restore people’s faith in politics through his “participatory democracy” measures – such as citizen’s juries and the “fund my community” initiatives – we asked why this didn’t prevent the fragmentation of voting intentions. He put that down to economic problems – the economic “transformation” of South Australia and the “massive threat” that posed to jobs: the loss of “jobs for life”, the casualisation of the workforce and other changes. Average losses per gambler in South Australia are estimated to be more than $2300 per year. “I’ve not been party to any discussions between the SANFL and the clubs and their campaign,” he said. For example, the Galaxy-YouGov poll of Hartley shows SA Best leader Nick Xenophon on 30% of the primary vote behind incumbent Liberal Vincent Tarzia on 38%, with Labor’s Grace Portolesi on 22% – but the way preferences will fall is anyone’s guess. But it seems a big presumption that Labor and Green voters (5% of the primary) would preference the Liberal candidate in higher numbers than Xenophon. A ReachTel/Channel Seven poll last November had the parties on a not too dissimilar primary vote (Liberal 36.4, SA Best 29.3 and Labor 20.7) and had Xenophon leading 53-47 after preferences. Other polls showed Labor just in front of SA Best in the heartland northern suburbs seat of Taylor (51-49), Labor minister Leon Bignell absolutely line-ball in Mawson (notionally a Liberal seat after a redistribution) and Liberal leader Steven Marshall leading Labor 53-47 in Dunstan. Labor, the Greens, SA Best and the Dignity Party all supported state funding, while the Liberals said it would review the funding formula for the service should they win government.