Voters have dealt a blow to both Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton by predicting a hung parliament at the next election, according to a shock new poll.
Some 57 percent of the 1,266 voters surveyed for the latest Newspoll poll conducted for The Australian Australia is expected to be ruled by a minority government if elections are held today.
A third believe 33 per cent of voters believe the Labour Party will form a minority government, while 24 per cent believe a Liberal-National coalition would form a government with the support of minor parties and independents.
The projected results could spell disaster for whoever forms a government, as a hung parliament will tip the balance of power into the hands of independents.
Without the support of all parties or the backing of the other major party, it will be difficult for any of them to pass laws in parliament.
Labor was the last party to form a minority government in 2010 under the leadership of former Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
Ms Gillard secured the votes of two independent members of the House of Representatives to secure the 76 seats needed to govern.
The latest poll revealed mixed results for both major parties.
Most voters believe the most likely outcome in the next federal election will be a hung parliament (pictured: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his fiancée Jodie Haydon)
Only 22 per cent of voters believe Labor can form a majority government on its own, while just 21 per cent believe a Dutton-led coalition will do the same.
In a blow to Albanese, Labor’s primary support fell just one per cent to 32 per cent.
The primary vote for the Coalition increased by one percent, reaching 39 percent.
The poll also found that Labor and the Coalition have a 50-50 split in the two-party preferred vote.
Voter satisfaction with Albanese fell one point to 43 percent, while Peter Dutton’s rating also fell one point to 40 percent.
The prime minister has a slightly higher disapproval rating than his opposition counterpart, 51 to 50.
However, Albanese remains the preferred prime minister, with a 46 per cent lead over Dutton to 30 per cent.
With support for Labor still below the level the government enjoyed at the last election, speculation is mounting over when Australians are likely to go to the polls next.
Daily Mail Australia previously revealed that Albanese could call a snap election in the hope of securing a second term before the economy worsens.
Opponent Peter Dutton (pictured) has a slightly lower disapproval rating according to the latest Newspoll poll.
The results come at a crucial time for Albanese, who is trying to win back support from disaffected voters struggling with the cost of living.
Mr Albanese announced this week that his government will give early childcare staff a 15 per cent pay rise over the next two years.
The government will set aside $3.6 billion to give early child care and after-school staff a 10 percent raise starting in December.
This figure will be followed by a further five percent increase from December 2025.
The government also sensationally backtracked on its promise of third-stage tax cuts earlier this year and delivered a tax cut to low- and middle-income earners.
The measure was approved by Parliament and became law on July 1, the start of the 2024-25 financial year.
Despite the cash surge, the RBA, which operates independently of the government, held interest rates at 4.35 percent on Tuesday, citing persistent inflation.
The shock results could spell disaster for both main political parties, as a hung parliament could tip the balance of power into the hands of the minor parties. Pictured is Anthony Albanese with his fiancée Jodie Haydon
Elsewhere in the latest Newspoll, the primary vote for the Greens fell one point to 12 percent, while the other minor parties and independents increased their vote by one point to 11 percent.
The primary vote for the One Nation Party led by Senator Pauline Hanson remained stable at 6 percent.
