The first Newspoll result since the date was set puts the Gillard government ahead at 42% of the primary vote and the Coalition at 38%.

But if preferences go the same way as the last federal election, then the Labor party is expected to have 55% of the vote and a more convincing victory than under previous prime minister, Kevin Rudd.

Punters are also getting behind the government, with one punter placing a $100,000 bet on Labor winning the election at odds of $1.26 according to AAP.

Should the Labor government win under new Prime Minister Julia Gillard, the coal mining industry will be taxed under the Minerals Resource Rent Tax proposal which is still subject to industry consultation.

While the abandoned Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme threatened thousands of coal mining jobs, according to research undertaken by several independent consultancies, the Gillard government has not yet made its position clear on whether it will implement an emissions trading scheme.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has since promised not to change the Fair Work Act for at least three years, noting the Coalition lost the last federal election on the issue of industrial relations.

IR issues under this industrial relations regime for the coal scene are most evident with Xstrata’s battles at the Tahmoor and Ulan mines.