Labor has increased its lead over the Opposition while both party leaders have suffered a drop in support, polling shows.
The latest Newspoll has the government leading the Coalition 56 to 44, two-party preferred, with Labor’s lead increasing one point since the last survey.
Despite the shift in support, the primary vote for both major parties remain unchanged, with Labor on 38 per cent and the Coalition on 33.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has seen his support fall to its lowest level since he took on the role, as his net satisfaction rating dropped six points to minus 19.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s satisfaction rating also took a dive, going from 21 to 16.
Mr Albanese still leads as preferred prime minister 54 per cent to 28 per cent.
The latest Newspoll was conducted between Wednesday and Saturday, as debate continued on the upcoming Indigenous Voice referendum, and as the government prepares for the federal budget.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said despite the slight drop in support for Mr Albanese, his popularity remained high.
“They’re very strong support numbers, and I tell you the reason is not based on polling but what people tell me when I’m out around the country,” she told Seven’s Sunrise program on Monday.
“People tell me that they’re pleased to see a government that is just getting on with the job, doing what we promised and they’re impressed that the Prime Minister is just sticking with what he said he’d do.”
Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce said he was unconcerned by the continued low numbers for the opposition.
“We don’t have an election tomorrow and that’s a good thing,” he said.
“A lot of people are starting to focus now on issues such as the Voice and saying, ‘I don’t feel comfortable with this’.”
-AAP
