1 week Ago By Dylan Caporn
Peter Dutton has surged ahead of Anthony Albanese on voter approval, as a Newspoll shows the Coalition’s primary vote reaching a new high point. The new poll published in The Australian shows the Opposition Leader leading the Prime Minister on net voter approval for the first time since Labor won the 2022 election. A bruising political month for Mr Albanese — which included intense scrutiny over his relationship with Qantas and former boss Alan Joyce — wore down voter support for the Prime Minister, with his disapproval climbing to 55 per cent.
With his approval holding at 40 per cent, Mr Albanese’s net support slumped to minus 15 points, a new low. A growth in Mr Dutton’s approval to 40 per cent saw his net support climb to minus nine — the first time he has eclipsed Mr Albanese. The Opposition Leader has also closed the gap on Mr Albanese as preferred prime minister — trailing by just four points, 41 per cent to 45 per cent.
The poll shows the Coalition holding its lead against Labor on a two-party preferred basis — 51 per cent to 49 per cent — after it overtook the Government for the first time since 2022 in the last poll. Katina Curtis Dylan Caporn The Coalition’s primary vote broke 40 per cent — up two points — while Labor’s vote grew to 33 per cent. Both the Greens (11 per cent) and One Nation (5 per cent) saw their primaries drop.
The poll came after more than a week of stories heavily focused on allegations that Mr Albanese accepted more than 20 free upgrades from Qantas on personal flights. The Prime Minister denied the allegations. In an attempt to shift debate, the Prime Minister held a US-style pre-election rally in South Australia, announcing his government would slash HECS debts by 20 per cent.
Labor’s deputy leader Richard Marles used the rally to turn up the heat on Mr Dutton, amid growing popularity, saying the country would “lose” if the Liberals were elected. The next election, due by May next year, is currently projected to elect a hung parliament. Dylan Caporn.
