NSW

NSW voters are turning away from the major parties, according to polls taken four months out from the state election. The Galaxy Research poll, in News Ltd newspapers, shows 23 per cent of people will vote either Green, independent or for a minor party because they think the government and opposition are incompetent. Meanwhile a separate survey conducted by ACNielsen, in Fairfax newspapers, showed recent sleaze and sex scandals may have damaged Labor but have proved catastrophic for Opposition Leader Peter Debnam. Mr Debnam's approval rating has nose-dived by nine points to just 29 per cent, while NSW Premier Morris Iemma has slipped six to 52 per cent. While 38 per cent of voters may now know who Mr Debnam is, up 18 points from July, his disapproval rating has jumped by 11 points to 44 per cent. The Galaxy poll showed Labor also has recorded its highest primary vote in 12 months at 39 per cent while the coalition's primary vote has fallen from 48 per cent to 38 per ce