The commanding lead held last week by Prime Minister John Howard and the Liberal Party was not all froth and bubble, according to the latest results from the Miss Maud's Coffee Bean poll.
The commanding lead held last week by Prime Minister John Howard and the Liberal Party was not all froth and bubble, according to the latest results from the Miss Maud's Coffee Bean poll.
Over the weekend more than 5000 people let their caffeine do the talking by dropping a coffee bean in a beaker indicating their preference for the Liberal Party, Australian Labor Party, Nationals, The Greens, Australian Democrats and other parties at one of 16 'polling booths' set up in Miss Maud's coffee houses and restaurants across the metropolitan area.
Since the 2007 poll was launched just over two weeks ago nearly 30,000 people have cast their vote, with the latest results being tallied on Sunday, following Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd's campaign launch.
Comparing with the previous results, distributed on Thursday, the Liberal Party is down five percentage points to 41.9 per cent, still well clear of Labor with an improved 36.3 per cent, up 1.4 percentage points.
The poll findings are at odds with those of many major polling agencies, most of which are predicting a Labor win on Saturday.
The minor parties have also improved, with the Greens lifting 1.6 per centage points to 10.6 per cent, while the Democrats pulled ahead of the Nationals, with 3.3 per cent compared to 2.6 per cent.
Maud Edmiston, founder and owner of Miss Maud's, says the unique poll is once again proving to be a great stimulus for people to take time out, to chat about issues that concern them in their daily lives and have their say in a relaxed way.
"I am not so concerned about the accuracy of the final outcome as much as providing a fun way for customers to express their mood and have their opinions heard," she said.
First launched in 1996, Miss Maud's Coffee Bean Poll has run for five elections. In 2004, 36,000 people cast their vote, which revealed the Coalition's winning percentage to within one per cent proving that monitoring community views as they percolate into votes is likely to provide a true picture of public taste.
In the 1996 election the beans predicted a Coalition win to within 0.4 per cent of the final outcome.
The full text of an announcement from Miss Maud's is pasted below
With commentators predicting that election results in Western Australia will play a pivotal role in the final outcome of the Federal election, Miss Maud's legendary coffee bean poll is likely to be watched closely this week as a thermometer of prevailing community views.
Over the weekend more than 5000 people let their caffeine do the talking by dropping a coffee bean in a beaker at one of 16 'polling booths' set up in Miss Maud's coffee houses and restaurants across the metropolitan area.
Since the 2007 poll was launched just over two weeks ago nearly 30,000 people have made their selection from the election menu. The latest figures tallied last night (Sunday November 18th) are
Labor 36.3%
Liberal 41.9%
Greens 10.6%
National 2.6%
Democrats 3.3%
Others 5.4%
President of the Morning Tea Party of WA, Miss Maud, aka hospital group leader Maud Edmiston said her goal at introducing Miss Maud's Coffee Bean Poll in 1996 was to provide a stimulus to encourage customers to get involved and express their views.
"I am not so concerned about the accuracy of the final outcome as much as providing a fun a fun way for customers to express their mood and have their opinions heard.
"The beans are a conversation stimulus in themselves and customers have said it is like having a conversation with people you do not know, a community conversation without having to show your hand, as we all know that casting your vote is a private matter, Miss Maud said.
The results following the final week of bean polling will be announced on Friday ( November 23) at a special election morning tea results party at Miss Maud's Pier Street headquarters where 'bean counters' (accountants) will tally up the votes and the 'winner' will be announced.
Prior to the announcement the Anglican Dean of Perth, the Very Revd Dr John Shepherd, known for his wit, wisdom and passion for community engagement, will bless the beans and thank the 'flock' who have contributed to the community debate. A surprise poll at the tea party will see Miss Maud ask business and key community leaders at the event to have their say on the key issues they see as shaping Australia's next four years.
