QLD election called to avoid Abbott's toxic poll slide

It's pretty clear what's going on in Queensland.

(Reuters) - The embattled premier of Australia's Queensland state on Tuesday called a snap election amid fears that Prime Minister Tony Abbott's toxic poll numbers may be eroding his party's grip at the local level and endangering his political survival.

State governments do not choose the prime minister, but a string of losses in local contests can shake confidence in a leader, signalling a looming election loss or a party coup aimed at averting one.

Abbott's first full year in office was hobbled by missteps and a souring economy that has driven his approval ratings to historic lows.

"I do wonder if in a sense some of the state elections are illustrative of buyer's remorse on behalf of the Australian public," said Peter Chen, a lecturer in politics at the University of Sydney. more