from the ABC …..

Labor's getting cocky: PM

The Prime Minister has told his backbenchers that federal Labor has become cocky and has started eyeing off the trappings of government.

With today's Newspoll showing Labor soaring ahead by nine points on the primary vote, one Liberal MP described the mood in today's joint party room meeting as "realistic".

The Prime Minister told his colleagues there is a sentiment among commentators that Labor is a near-certainty to win this year's election, but he says that is not what he has been hearing on his travels around the country.

John Howard told the meeting Labor has become cocky and has its eye on the trappings of ministerial office.

A handful of Coalition MPs again raised concerns about housing affordability.

More told Mr Howard the Commonwealth's takeover of Tasmania's Mersey Hospital has struck a cord in their electorates, and want the move expanded.

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Gus: Most doctors in Tassie thought the downgrading of the Mersey hospital was a good move as keeping its intensive care unit was dividing their efficiency of such care... The Mersey Hospital only serves 49,000 people, not 70,000 as porkied by Mr Abbott, the minister for boils and Edema. The doctors preferred to consolidate the service in a major hospital that is not far from there anyway... But watch for the Canberranean VULTURES to come and raid States rights, anyway they can, before the elections... The sooner we get rid of these rapacious dodos, the better for Australia...