Australian PM faces struggle as popularity slides

AUSTRALIAN Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s sinking popularity has plumbed new depths and her Labor Party faces electoral oblivion, an opinion poll revealed, a week after she suffered a major setback on immigration policy.

Gillard, who has been in the top job for barely a year, has been under siege from the conservative opposition over her plans for new taxes and for dealing with asylum seekers.

She is now fending off media speculation of an eventual leadership challenge.