Newspoll result: Why support for Labor and Coalition has DROPPED as margin for leaders as preferred Prime Minister is closest since election
Support for both Labor and the Coalition has waned as Australians are divided over energy and climate change policies, including nuclear power plant proposals.
The primary vote for the major parties has taken a hit in recent weeks, with the Coalition down three points to 36 percent, while support for Labor fell to 32 percent after a one-point drop, according to the latest Newspoll for The Australian.
The two leaders, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, have also achieved high levels of voter dissatisfaction.
This has increased support for the Greens and independents, which could indicate that the political landscape will be similar again next year when voters go to the polls again.
When voters were asked who their choice was to become prime minister, only a narrow margin separated the two leaders with the closest result since the 2022 election.
Mr Albanese recorded his second-highest level of dissatisfaction since he was elected, at 53 per cent – a rise of three per cent.
The prime minister’s approval rating fell one point to 42 percent.
Mr Dutton’s approval rating also fell one point to 38 percent, but his dissatisfaction rating rose above Mr Albanese’s to 54 percent, an increase of five points.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton (pictured) has divided voters over his nuclear energy plans
Anthony Albanese (pictured with partner Jodie Haydon) has been accused of undermining the safety of nuclear power stations
The poll also showed that Dutton’s nuclear plan from seven regional sites across the country, which would retire coal-fired power stations, was approved by 42 percent of voters.
But the plan’s disapproval rate was 45 percent, while 13 percent had not yet made a decision.
The issue of nuclear energy saw more and more men and older people supporting Dutton’s plan, while women and young people were mainly against it and middle-aged people were divided.
The nuclear debate has led to a battle between the parties. The Albanian government has been accused of campaigning to scare Australians about the safety of nuclear power stations, even as the government plans to build nuclear submarines.
The fall in support for the coalition shows that the nuclear plan could cost them potential votes.
But the declining support for Labor also suggests that the disappointing inflation figures have also had an impact on the government.