Support for Labor is at its lowest ebb since the 2022 election, although the coalition has failed to reap the benefits as voters swing to independents and minor parties, according to the latest Newspoll.
Labor’s primary vote has fallen two points to 36 percent, according to the poll published in The Australian on Monday—its weakest result since it won office with a base support of 32.6 percent.
The LNP enjoyed a rare victory in the Fadden by-election over the weekend with a swing of two percent, but it is not reflective of the bigger picture.
The Coalition has lost ground nationally, falling to 34 percent after damning findings against it at the Robodebt royal commission.
Australians appear to be pulling their support from the major parties to express their frustration over their politicking over the commission’s findings and the Voice to Parliament instead of focusing on the cost of living crisis.
The survey showed a three-point rise in support for minor parties and independents.
Support for the Greens and Pauline Hanson’s One Nation each rose a point to 12 and seven percent respectively. Support for other minor parties and independents also rose a point to 11 per cent.
Labor has improved its two-party-preferred margin over the Coalition by two points to 55-45 according to the poll of 1570 Australian voters conducted between July 12 and 15.
Labor leader Anthony Albanese’s approval ratings are largely unchanged, remaining at 52 percent—the lowest level since he was elected in May last year.
His dissatisfaction rating dropped a point to 41 percent, giving him a net approval rating of plus 11.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton’s approval ratings fell two points to 36 percent, while his dissatisfaction rating was unchanged from last month’s poll at 49 per cent. His net approval rating is minus 13.
The preferred prime minister ratings reflected these results, with Mr. Albanese lifting two points to 54 per cent and Mr Dutton dropping three points to 29 per cent.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said despite the government losing ground, Labor was unconcerned by the result.
“Polls jump around all the time, and we don’t take too much notice of it; it’s still a very strong position for the government,” she told Seven’s Sunrise program on Monday.
“Our real focus is not the polling, it’s actually dealing with the cost of living issues.”
But, Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce said it was due to cost of living concerns that some voters had turned away from the government.
“People are paying, and they’re hurting,” he said.
“Power prices, food prices, fuel prices, rent, the Labor Party seems to be oblivious to that, and the polls are now reflecting their oblivion.”
A separate Newspoll showed the referendum for an Indigenous voice to parliament has lost support among women voters and in the regions, with just 41 percent of voters overall now saying they will vote yes.
The poll for The Australian showed 48 percent of voters now intend to vote no, with just 38 percent of female voters saying they approve of the voice.
Support for a voice among male voters increased seven points to 45 percent with 47 opposed, while 49 percent of female voters indicated a no vote.
Support for the no vote in the regions has grown to 62 percent, with only 31 percent in favour of the voice.
