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Into the mall for the groceries today, and what do we see as we pass the newsagency . . . ? Julia Gillard and her pseudo-Government have slumped in the opinion polls yet again. After last week's abortive leadership challenge, the departure of disaffected ministers and the swearing-in yesterday of a reshuffled Cabinet, a Newspoll published today showed Labor's primary vote crashing four points to 30 per cent. The Prime Minister's personal standing slumped seven points to 35 per cent, against a five-point jump to 43 per cent for the Opposition leader, Tony Abbott.

If the figures stood true for the federal election due in September, Labor would be thrown out with a loss of 30 seats, and the conservative Liberal-National Coalition would win Government in - as the headlines would be sure to say - a landslide.

Sadly, you'll see next to the Newspoll poster another telling of the death at sea of two asylum seekers. A fishing boat carrying almost 100 refugees capsized off Christmas Island, midway between Indonesia and Australia. An Australian Customs vessel rescued 93 of them.

The failure of the Gillard Government to keep Australia's borders secure and "stop the boats" sent by people smugglers is but one of its major problems.

Hundreds of asylum seekers trying to enter Australia illegally have died at sea over the past few years as their often dangerous and overcrowded boats have foundered. Most are sent to detention camps (not necessarily in Australia) for processing. The Government is increasing Australia's annual refugee intake to 20,000 this year; the Coalition says it would return the quota to 13,750.

Federal election? Humanitarian aid? Does any of it really matter much? Of course not! Look at the four posters in the prime spots at the top of the board. Millions of dollars to be won on the lotteries!! Give me a $50 combo, Bazza . . . !