Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has suffered another blow, with a new poll showing he could face the prospect of sinking even further into minority government.
The poll shows the Labor government has lost ground in the two-party preferred vote with Peter Dutton’s coalition in the lead for the first time since the 2022 election.
The freshwater strategy survey of 1,003 voters Australian financial magazineshows the Coalition now leads by 51 percent to 49 percent on a two-party preference basis.
Labor’s primary vote fell one point to 31 percent, while the Coalition’s share remained unchanged at 40 percent.
Despite the dismal results, Albanese (45 per cent) remains the preferred premier over Dutton (39 per cent) after gaining two points to extend his lead.
However, the Prime Minister’s net approval rating – the difference between his disapproval rating (48 percent) and his approval rating (34 percent) – has fallen to its lowest point since the election two years ago.
Freshwater Strategy director Michael Turner told The Australian Financial Review that if the two-party preference trend continues, Labor could find itself in a minority government.
“Looking at the long-term trend, it appears that the federal Labor Party has done little to halt the decline in its support over the past two years,” he said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured right) has been dealt a blow as voters indicate they are becoming increasingly pessimistic in a damaging new poll.
‘If bipartisan preference strays a little further, then the Coalition could be within striking distance of being able to assemble a viable coalition that can pass legislation.
‘While such poorly qualified leaders, such as (former Victorian Premier) Dan Andrews, have won elections in the past, there is clearly a concern about Albanese that is gradually and steadily worsening among the electorate.’
Some 56 percent of voters said the country is heading in the wrong direction, while 29 percent believe Australia is on the right track.
The figures represent the lowest levels of optimism since the last elections.
Voters were equally disheartened about the economy: 50 percent fear it will worsen, compared with 29 percent who think conditions will improve.
The cost of living remains the top priority for voters, with 73 percent saying it is the most important issue the government should address.
Housing and accommodation are second in importance at 42 percent, followed by economic management and health and social care at 26 percent.
Crime and social order, at 25 percent, rounded out the top five concerns.
The government has struggled to address the cost of living after inflation hit a whopping 7.8 percent in December 2022, well above the target range of 2 to 3 percent.
However, the consumer price index has fallen and the latest monthly figures indicate that the rate stands at 3.6 percent.
Homeowners have also been hit hard by the Reserve Bank’s 13-fold increase in interest rates since May 2022.
Rates have remained at 4.35 percent since November 2023.
Labour only leads its rivals on health and social care by 36 per cent to 31 per cent.
The coalition leads the government in the two-party preferential vote by 51 percent to 49 percent (pictured, Peter Dutton)
The data suggests that the Labour Party could lose up to seven seats in the next election, bringing the total to 71 seats in the House of Representatives.
This figure is far below the 76 seats the government needs to govern with a majority.
The Coalition would gain around 60 seats from its current total of 55.
The next elections are expected to be held no later than May 2025.
