Voters have dealt Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton a massive blow by predicting a parliamentary stalemate at the next election, a shocking new poll has revealed.
About 57 percent of the 1,266 voters surveyed for the latest Newspoll conducted for The Australian believed Australia would be governed by a minority government if the election were held today.
A third of voters (33 percent) believe Labor will form a minority government, while 24 percent believe a coalition of Liberals and Nationalists will form a government with support from minor parties and independents.
The predicted results could spell disaster for whoever forms the government, as a parliament with an uncoordinated majority could tip the balance of power in the hands of the independent parties.
Without the support of both parties or the other major party, it will be difficult for either party to get legislation through Parliament.
Labor was the last party to form a minority government in 2010, led by former Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
Ms Gillard secured the votes of two independent members of the House of Representatives, thus securing the required 76 seats to govern.
The latest poll showed mixed results for both major parties.
A majority of voters believe a stalemate in Parliament will be the most likely outcome at the next federal election (pictured: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his fiancée Jodie Haydon)
Only 22 percent of voters believe Labor can form a majority government on its own, while just 21 percent believe a Dutton-led coalition would do the same.
In a major setback for Albanese, support for Labor fell slightly in the primaries, by just one percent to 32 percent.
The number of votes for the coalition increased by one percent to 39 percent.
The survey also found that the Labor Party and the Coalition have a 50-50 vote for the two-party election.
Voter satisfaction with Mr Albanese fell one point to 43 per cent, while approval for Peter Dutton also fell one point to 40 per cent.
The prime minister has a slightly higher disapproval rating of 51 compared to 50, compared to his opposition colleague.
However, Mr Albanese remains the favourite prime minister, with a 46 per cent to 30 per cent lead over Mr Dutton.
With support for Labor lower than at the last election, speculation is mounting about when Australians will go to the polls.
Daily Mail Australia previously reported that Albania may call an early election in the hope of securing a second term before the economy deteriorates.
Opposition Party member Peter Dutton (pictured) has a slightly lower disapproval rating, according to the latest Newspoll poll
The results come at a crucial time for Mr Albanese, who is trying to revive support from disaffected voters struggling with the cost of living.
Mr Albanese announced this week that his government will implement a 15 percent pay increase for childcare workers over the next two years.
The government is allocating $3.6 billion to provide a 10 percent pay increase to childcare and after-school care workers from December.
From December 2025, this figure will increase by another five percent.
The government also sensationally backtracked on its promise to cut taxes in phase three earlier this year, introducing a tax cut for low- and middle-income earners.
The measure was approved by Parliament and came into effect on July 1, at the start of the 2024-2025 budget year.
Despite the cash injection, the RBA, which operates independently of the government, kept interest rates at 4.35 percent on Tuesday, saying inflation was likely to persist.
The surprise results could spell disaster for both major political parties, as a hung parliament would tip the balance of power in the hands of smaller parties. Pictured is Anthony Albanese with his fiancée Jodie Haydon
Elsewhere in the latest Newspoll, the Greens’ primary vote fell by one point to 12 percent, while the other minor parties and independents saw their vote rise by one point to 11 percent.
The primary result for the One Nation Party led by Senator Pauline Hanson remained stable at 6 percent.