Coalition hot on Hanson’s tail in new polling
The Liberal-National coalition is gaining ground in new polling as the cost of living “erodes” the Labor government’s credibility.
New DemosAU polling suggests the Coalition would be “in with a chance” to form government with One Nation if the election were held today.
Current seat projections in a poll of 1500 respondents conducted between October 23 and October 26 showed the Coalition narrowing Labor and One Nation’s lead.
If an election were held in this polling period, the most likely outcome would be a hung parliament with Labor winning between 64-77 seats, the Coalition 37-52, One Nation 18-32.
Taylor has previously ruled out forming a coalition with One Nation, and is hot on Hanson’s tail in the new poll, with just one per cent between them to place second as the country’s preferred prime minister.
DemosAU Head of Research George Hasanakos said the coalition was “only two points behind” on primary votes and the current Albanese Government could see a further drop as cost-of-living bites this Christmas.
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“Fuel prices, interest rates and food and grocery cost increases are affecting all Australians, no matter how much you earn,” Hasanakos said.
“This is really eroding the government’s position and they are in a very tough position to try and turn things around.”
The polling found cost-of-living is voters’ top concern, with 50 per cent saying it was the biggest issue facing Australia today, followed by 14 per cent most concerned about housing and homelessness.
“While the election is still some time away, with a further interest rates decision due in November, and upcoming expenses like Christmas and school holidays, the government may even see their numbers get worse before they get better,” Hasanakos said.
This leaves room for the Coalition to make up ground lost to One Nation in past polls, and preference flows would carve an easier path to government than the Pauline-Hanson-led party.
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In seats where Liberal National candidates battle One Nation contestants, the coalition would benefit from preferences from Labor voters, Hasanakos said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remains the preferred candidate for the top job with 36 per cent of Australians backing him, followed by 23 per cent backing Pauline Hanson – two per cent less than last month’s results.
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor is on Hanson’s tail with 22 per cent of Australians backing him as preferred prime minister in today’s results.
When voters were asked if they have a positive, neutral or negative opinion of the leaders, Taylor gained ground since last month’s polls, while both Hanson and Albanese’s personal ratings dipped.
Greens leader David Shoebridge was also included in polling for the first time since ascending to the leadership last month after Larissa Waters stepped down due to ill health.
Of all leaders, Shoebridge had the least number of voters feeling positive about him, and the most feeling neutral, resulting in a net negative rating of 16 per cent.
In the first month of his leadership, former barrister and NSW federal senator Shoebridge has faced controversy over an alleged cover-up of misconduct claims against WA senator Jordan Steele-John.
Today’s polling showed the Greens could win up to four seats, while independent candidates and minor parties could pick up four to eight seats.
The polling conducted by DemosAU and Capital Brief had an effective margin of error of 3.4 per cent.
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