Voters in Western Australia are shifting away from Labor towards the coalition, as the opposition gains ground among young people.
A Newspoll published in the The Australian newspaper on April 1, shows a rise in support for the coalition in key areas, but Labor still leading 52-48 on a two-party-preferred basis nationally.
This remains unchanged from the last quarter of 2023.
The coalition increased its support by five points to a primary vote of 27 percent among young people in the voting group, aged between 18 to 34, as Labor fell five points to 33 percent.
According to the analysis, the coalition’s primary vote is now higher than the Greens.
Young men are equally supportive of Labor and the coalition, with a three-point swing on two-party-preferred terms against the government.
The parties are 50-50 split among the demographic, while there was a six-point fall to 31 percent in Labor’s primary vote.
But for women, Labor was still ahead 53-47 on a two-party-preferred basis.
Among voters aged between 35 and 49 years of age, Labor has further cemented its position by pulling ahead, as the government has focused on cost of living relief and tax cuts for “middle Australia”.
The new analysis shows Labor trailing the coalition on a two-party preferred basis in WA, while the parties were drawing with each other in NSW.
If voting intention were repeated at a federal election, it would result in a net loss of seats for the government.
In Victoria, the coalition is leading Labor on the primary vote for the first time, as the Greens make gains on the government.
Support for both major parties declined in South Australia, as Labor fell three points and the coalition two points, but the government still leads 54-46.
