Voters don’t believe the Coalition is ready to govern again after a single term in opposition despite having more support than Labor, a shock new poll has revealed.
Support for Anthony Albanese has finally lifted from a record low as voters revealed why they support the Coalition, but not Peter Dutton in the latest Newspoll for the Australian.
The Prime Minister recorded a higher approval rating than Mr Dutton for the first time since late last year.
However, it’s not all good news for Mr Albanese with the poll indicating a hung parliament is the most likely outcome of the upcoming federal election.
The Coalition came out on top with 39 per cent of the primary vote, compared to 32 per cent for Labor.
The Coalition also maintains a 51-49 per cent two-party-preferred lead over Labor, which represents a three per cent swing against the Albanese government since the 2022 election.
Both parties have began pre-campaigning for the federal election, expected to be held in May.
Labor has ramped up promises related to the future of Medicare and won the favour of voters following a 0.25 per cent rates cut by the Reserve Bank in February.
Anthony Albanese (pictured with fiancée Jodie Haydon) recorded a higher approval rating than Opposition Leader Mr Dutton for the first time since late last year
While the Coalition won the two-party-preferred vote, participants didn’t believe Peter Dutton (pictured) is ready to be prime minister after just one term as opposition leader
Labor will also be buoyed by its crushing victory in the Western Australia state election on the weekend to secure a third consecutive term.
The Coalition has focused its efforts on pledging to increase defence spending and end flexible working conditions for public servants.
While the Coalition led the two-party-preferred vote, only 45 per cent of voters believed Mr Dutton was ready to be prime minister.
Those least enthused by Mr Dutton’s potential leadership were young voters and the 35-49 age group- a key demographic to swinging election results.
Those aged 18-34 didn’t believe the Coalition was ready to lead, backed by 61 per cent of the 35-49 bracket who also doubted the party’s readiness.
More than half (53 per cent) of voters aged 50-64 also lacked confidence in the Coalition.
That uneasiness was also reflected in Mr Dutton’s and Mr Albanese’s personal net approval ratings.
The Coalition won the two-party-preferred vote in the latest Newspoll results, but Mr Albanese was the preferred prime minister over Mr Dutton
Mr Albanese’s approval rose four points to 41 per cent while his disapproval rating fell five points to 53 per cent, resulting in a -12 score.
The net total was a drastic jump from his record low at -21 earlier this year.
Mr Dutton’s approval rating fell two points to 39 per cent and disapproval rose to 53 per cent, giving him a total of -14.
The results mark the first time Mr Albanese has rated higher than Mr Dutton since late last year.
When voters were directly asked which leader they’d prefer as the next prime minister, Mr Albanese won the support of 47 per cent of voters compared to 38 per cent in favour of Mr Dutton.
It’s the widest margin Mr Albanese has been afforded since September last year.
Anthony Albanese (pictured thanking ADF personnel in Brisbane on Sunday)
Meanwhile, the Greens and Pauline Hanson’s One Nation maintained the same level of primary support as the last poll at 12 per cent and seven per cent, respectively.
The jump in support for Labor and the Coalition came at the expense of independents and minor parties who were the top choice for just 10 per cent of voters.
The drop is 4.5 percentage points lower than the last federal election result, which saw eight teal independents elected to parliament.
