Gillard Slips in Australia Poll as Tax Damages Credibility

Prime Minister Julia Gillard slipped behind opposition rival Tony Abbott as Australia’s preferred leader for the first time since August after her credibility was dented when a mining tax she helped design brought in less revenue than forecast.

On the question of who would make the better prime minister, Gillard fell 5 percentage points to 36 percent, while Abbott rose 1 point to 40 percent, according to a Newspoll survey published in the Australian newspaper today. The ruling Labor party rose 1 point to 45 percent on a two-party preferred basis, with the Liberal-National opposition down 1 point to 55 percent, it showed.