PM wary of voter volatility in key states
Updated
Julia Gillard: "I understand in some parts of the country there's disappointment with state Labor governments". (AAP: Alan Porritt)
Prime Minister Julia Gillard says voter backlash against state Labor governments is creeping into national polling.
Opinion polls show a swing against Labor in Queensland and New South Wales and predict the Opposition could win enough seats in those states to form government.
Ms Gillard has urged voters to go to polling day with the national election in mind.
"As we look around the country, there are clearly some regional and state-based factors in play," she told Channel Nine.
"I understand in some parts of the country there's disappointment with state Labor governments.
"Of course people can form their views about their state governments, have their say in their state elections. The national election ... is about who has the best policies and plans for the nation's future and particularly the economic plan to manage a $1.3 trillion economy.
"It's just a question really of people looking at what this election is about and making sure when they vote next Saturday, they're voting on the issues in the national election."
But Ms Gillard admits many voters still hold doubts.
"I think there is still volatility out there, there's still people making up their minds," she said.
"Certainly in this last week of the campaign I'll be saying to Australians around the country, through our campaign launch tomorrow and beyond, that voting for me is voting for a strong economy.
"I'm keenly aware that as we go into the final week that if today's polls are right, then Mr Abbott could end up prime minister.
"That's too big a risk for our economy, particularly when Mr Abbott is racing towards $30 billion of spending."
Reacting to the poll, Treasurer Wayne Swan told Channel Ten it is clear the election is going to be very close in Queensland.
"There's a clear choice and they're making up their minds and I think it's going to be desperately close," he said.
"I think it's been desperately close for some time. Elections in Queensland generally are.
"But I think we are very, very competitive in this state, because we have a program for the future," he said.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott played down the implications of the poll on ABC1's Insiders.
"This is going to be a very hard election to win because we're running against an incumbent Commonwealth Government, five state Labor governments, the $1 billion a year war machines that are the union movement," he said.
"I'm going to be running hard right down to the wire."
He also took a swipe at former Labor leaders re-emerging on the election campaign.
"What does it say about the judgment of the Labor Party that in 2004 they wanted us to make Mark Latham the prime minister, 2007 they wanted us to make Kevin Rudd the prime minister and look what's happened to both of them," he said.
"If Labor win, you can't be confident that Julia Gillard will serve a full-term because you can't be confident the factions will let her."
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