Voters Follow Abbott But Gillard Twitter Queen

Tuesday, 15 January 2013
For immediate distribution
Voters Follow Abbott But Gillard Twitter Queen

@JuliaGillard remains the $3.00 outsider to win this year’s Federal Election but the taste of possible defeat could be somewhat more palatable with the PM the red hot favourite to gain more Twitter followers than nemesis @TonyAbbottMHR between now and election day.

Online bookmaker sportsbet.com.au has installed Gillard, who boasts more than three times the Twitter followers than Abbott, at $1.33 to pick up more followers than Abbott, who is the $3.00 outsider.

Unlike their party leader, the @AustralianLabor is the $1.67 favourite to have more Twitter followers than their biggest foe – @LiberalAus ($2.10) – come election day.

Sportsbet.com.au has also framed a market featuring serial tweeters @KRuddMP and @TurnbullMalcolm, pitting the former party leaders up against Gillard and Abbott in a race to have the most followers come election day.

KRudd is at the Black Caviar like odds of $1.15, ahead of Gillard ($4.50), Turnbull ($9.00) and Abbott ($10).

“12 months ago punters thought the Labor party were a bunch of twits but they’re pegging back the Liberal party tweet by tweet,” said @sportsbetcomau’s @Ben_Hawes.

Sportsbet.com.au also received a $2,000 bet this morning on October to be the month when the election is held, with the punter standing to collect $7,000. September remains the $1.33 however.

Markets courtesy of sportsbet.com.au
Most Twitter followers gained from now until Election Day
$1.33 @JuliaGillard (currently 330,987)
$3.00 @TonyAbbottMHR (currently 94,456)

Most Twitter followers by Election Day
$1.67 @AustralianLabor (currently 22,493)
$2.10 @LiberalAus (currently 21,021)

Most Twitter followers by Election Day
$1.15 @KRuddMP (currently 1,184,287)
$4.50 @JuliaGillard (currently 330,987)
$9.00 @TurnbullMalcolm (currently 142,207)
$10 @TonyAbbottMHR (currently 94,456)

Month of Federal Election
$1.33 September
$2.50 October
$5.00 August
$15 May
$19 March
$26 April, July, June
$34 November
$101 February

2013 Federal Election winner
(prices in brackets from 3 December)
$1.35 Coalition (out from $1.28)
$3.00 Labor (in from $3.50)

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