Prime Minister John Howard challenged the Australian people to throw him out of office if they did not like his policy on Iraq.
"If the public at the next election doesn't like the job I've done, they'll throw me out," he told the Nine Network after a Newspoll showed his personal standing had slumped as he supported US action against Iraq.
Labor, which insists on a new United Nations mandate for military action, was equally defiant in the face of the poll, which showed a further slide in Opposition Leader Simon Crean's popularity.
Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd said Labor's national security policy was non-negotiable, adding: "And frankly, we don't give a damn what opinion polls have to say."
Newspoll showed the Coalition led Labor by 51 to 49 per cent on a two-party-preferred basis.
Mr Howard's approval rating dropped to an eight month low of 48 per cent, down from 65 per cent following the Bali bombings last October.
However, Mr Crean rated only 31 per cent and Mr Howard led him in the preferred prime minister stakes 56 to 21 per cent.
Mr Howard, who ruled out a plebiscite or conscience vote over war with Iraq, said he did not think public opinion had settled on the issue.
But in the end he would do what was in Australia's best interests and the people would have their say at the next election.
"My job is to do what I believe is right and I think it is right to take a stand against the spread of chemical and biological weapons because I'm worried they'll get into the hands of international terrorists," Mr Howard said.
God bless you, Mr. Howard and God bless Australia!
They have a good man in you who are wise and courageous enough to stick to your convictions!
(I wish President Bush would say something exactly like this to the Dimocrats,too!)
