Anthony Albanese has suffered another setback with a new poll showing Peter Dutton has almost drawn even with him as Australia’s preferred prime minister.
The Australian Financial Review and Freshwater Strategy Poll, published on Monday, revealed that Albanese has lost his clear lead over Opposition Leader Peter Dutton in the personal ratings.
According to the poll, 44 per cent of respondents now prefer Albanese as prime minister, while 43 per cent favor Dutton – which is not a statistically significant difference.
The latest findings were in stark contrast to the result from the end of Albanese’s first six months in office in December 2023. Then, Albanese led Dutton by 55 per cent to 29 per cent.
Additionally, the new poll showed the Coalition leading Labor in the two-party-preferred stakes for the third consecutive month, with 51 per cent support compared to Labor’s 49 per cent.
This reflects a swing of over three percentage points against Labor since the last Federal election. If this was replicated at the next election, Labor could lose up to eight seats, reducing their total to 70. Meanwhile, the Coalition could gain up to 10 seats, up to 68 – paving the way for a possible conservative minority government.
A poll of Aussie voters revealed Anthony Albanese has lost his lead over Opposition Leader Peter Dutton as preferred Prime Minister
The poll also found the Coalition has lead Labor in the two-party-preferred vote for the third consecutive month (pictured, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton)
Labor’s primary vote held steady at 30 per cent, while the Coalition’s dropped slightly by one point to 41 per cent.
The Greens’ primary vote remained unchanged at 13 per cent.
The poll, conducted from Friday to Sunday with 1,034 voters, found that Albanese’s recent $4.3 million property purchase had little impact on his personal popularity.
Respondents were asked whether the Prime Minister buying the luxury four-bedroom home at Copacabana on the NSW Central Coast had ‘changed your view of Albanese, or had no impact on your view of him at all’.
More than half, 52 per cent, said their view of Albanese’s leadership had not changed, while 36 per cent said it had worsened their view.
Responders were asked whether Albanese’s recent luxury home (pictured) purchase had changed their view of the Prime Minister
Voters also ranked the government’s handling on national concerns including the cost of living, housing, managing the economy, health and social care, crime and social order, and the environment and climate change.
Respondents found the Coalition was the best party to manage these, holding a considerable double-digit lead on almost all six issues.
The Coalition had a 14-point lead on the cost of living, a 16 point lead on economic management, 19 point leads on both immigration/asylum and crime/social order.
The opposition also had a 20 point lead on defence and national security.
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