Labor, Coalition neck and neck in shock poll
Written by admin on August 12, 2024
Labor and the Coalition are neck and neck on a two-party-preferred basis, with a majority of voters now expecting a minority government at the next federal election.
The latest Newspoll, conducted between July 15 and July 19 and involving 1258 voters, puts the Albanese government’s primary vote at 32 per cent, amid ongoing criticism over the party’s handling cost of living crisis and inflation pressures.
The figure mark a one per cent drop for the party since the last Newspoll.
Support for the Coalition has risen to 39 per cent – marking one of the widest gaps between the two major parties.
Both Labor and the Coalition are on a 50-50 split on a two-party-preferred basis.
The Newspoll results reveal 57 per cent of voters now believe a minority government from either party is the most likely outcome at the next federal election.
Incumbent Prime Minister Anthony Albanese still remains well ahead of Opposition Leader Peter Dutton on a head-to-head basis.
Mr Albanese remains the clear favourite at 46 per cent, compared with Mr Dutton’s 39 per cent.
But voters still remain dissatisfied with both leaders – with Mr Albanese’s approval rating dropping a point to 43 per cent.
Dissatisfaction for Mr Dutton also dropped by a point to 40 per cent.
The Greens primary vote fell a point to 12 per cent while other major parties had their primary vote lifted a point to 11 per cent.
Pauline Hanson’s One Nation remained unchanged at a six per cent primary vote.
The latest Newspoll follows the Reserve Bank of Australia holding firm on the official cash rate, which stands at 4.35 per cent.
RBA governor Michele Bullock said the bank would “not hesitate” to hike interest rates if it meant not exposing Australians to prolonged high inflation, while warning those levels may not return to the 2-3 per cent target band until December next year.
The Albanese government is also facing renewed pressure on its response to cost of living relief measures, including its promised $300 energy rebates.
Australian households were set to save $300 on electricity bills as part of the federal budget, but bureaucratic red tape has delayed the rollout.
Earlier in the week, the Prime Minister announced early childcare workers would receive a significant 15 per cent wage increase, starting with a 10 per cent increase from December.
Parliament is set to resume on Monday following the five-week winter break.
The monthly Newspoll survey is run by The Australian.
