LABOR is preparing to channel additional resources into defending up to 25 seats at the federal election this year as strategists concede they face a battle to retain 16 seats in Queensland and NSW alone.
According to The Australian Financial Review, in preparation for the election, Labor strategists have identified the seats of Flynn, Leichhardt and Dawson in Queensland, and Lindsay, Robertson and Parramatta in NSW as being particularly at risk.
This week, a poll by public relations firm EMC found that up to 50 per cent of those polled could switch sides before the next election.
"Seats right up the pendulum could move," said one government minister. "Whatever anyone says, Abbott has had an impact."
An analysis by The Australian Financial Review shows 14 of the 20 community cabinets have been held in marginal seats and over half of those, eight, have been held in Labor marginal seats that the government must retain.
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