A shocking new poll has revealed that more than a third of Australians blame Anthony Albanese’s government for the cost of living crisis, and more than half of them would struggle to afford the big costs.
Voters surveyed in the Resolve Political Monitor survey for Nine Newspapers showed that 36 percent blame the federal Labor government for high prices, while 58 percent said they have so little money left over each month that they would struggle to cover unexpected expenses such as a new refrigerator or car repairs.
Only 13 percent of respondents said global factors outside the government’s control were responsible for high prices and interest rates.
Although Labor’s primary vote increased by two points to 30 percent last month, it is still well below the level at which Labor won the 2022 federal election.
More worrying for Labor, the Coalition recorded its highest level of support since the election, up one point to 38 percent.
This would ensure that both parties would remain neck and neck if elections were held now, with both parties needing the support of minor parties and independents to form a government.
Resolve CEO Jim Reed said voters are making their feelings known about how the cost of living affects them.
“People realize there are a whole host of factors at play, but they see governments as at least partially responsible for inflation, and they certainly see the federal government as responsible for solving the problem,” he said.
A shocking new survey has revealed that more than a third of Australians blame Anthony Albanese’s government for the cost of living. Mr Albanese is pictured with his fiancée Jodie Haydon
As many as 36 percent of voters hold the federal Labor government responsible for the high prices. Stock image
Thirty percent of voters said they would prefer if the next election, due in May 2025, resulted in one party or the other forming a minority government.
But 36 percent said they would like to see a clear majority government, while 34 percent were unsure which way the election would go.
When asked who voters would most like to see as prime minister, Albanian opposition leader Peter Dutton narrowly leads with 38 percent to 35 percent.
However, there is greater reliance on Dutton and the Coalition’s management of the economy, with 38 percent supporting them, while only 26 percent favor Albanian and Labor.
The Coalition is also rated better on the cost of living, with 31 percent saying it would do better, while only 24 percent saying Albanese and Labor would do best.
Voters are also not happy with the Prime Minister’s performance, with 53 percent saying it was bad and only 35 percent saying it was good.
Mr Dutton fared better, with 40 percent rating his performance as good and 41 percent rating his performance as poor.
Although the Reserve Bank sets the interest rate, 52 percent of people say the government and Treasurer Jim Chalmers bear the greater responsibility.
Mr. Chalmers will generally not enjoy the investigation; only 24 percent say they are preferred for this job.
The positive for him, however, is that only 18 percent say the shadow treasurer, Angus Taylor, was their preferred candidate for the job, widely regarded as the second most important after the prime minister.
More than half of those surveyed said they have so little money left over each month that it can be difficult to pay an unexpected bill, such as getting a car repaired. Stock image
“Much of the electorate is still trying to cope with the price increases we’ve seen in recent years,” Mr Reed said.
“Basic groceries like meat, eggs, olive oil and snacks are at the top of the list of concerns.”
Fifty-nine percent of respondents said groceries and other basic items are their biggest cost-of-living concern.
In a multiple choice question, 37 percent said utility bills were a concern for them, while 21 percent were concerned about the cost of their rent.