Preaching to the converted: ALP, Albo return to Canberra with commanding lead
The first Newspoll of the year has delivered good news for federal Labor and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addresses the 2023 Chifley Research Centre Conference at the National Press Club of Australia in Canberra, Sunday, February 5, 2023. No doubt a couple of his nine media advisors were on hand to make are things went smoothly.(AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)
Labor has maintained its 10-point margin over the coalition on a two-party-preferred basis as parliament returns for a sitting week expected to be dominated by the economy and the referendum on an Indigenous voice.
The survey indicated 56 per cent of respondents were in support of the Indigenous voice to parliament, with 28 per cent strongly and 28 per cent partly in favour, while 37 per cent were opposed – 23 per cent strongly against and 14 per cent partly against.
Despite a slight fall in approval, Albanese still enjoys strong support as preferred prime minister, the poll conducted for The Australian newspaper says.
Labor’s primary vote dropped one point to 38 per cent while the coalition also dropped one point to 34 per cent.
The result for Labor is more than five points stronger than its election result of 32.6 per cent, while the coalition’s result is almost two points down on its election tally of 35.7 per cent.
The two-party-preferred split between the major parties was unchanged at 55-45 per cent in Labor’s favour.
Support for independents and minor parties – including the teal independents – rose two points to 10 per cent, the Newspoll showed.
The Greens were unchanged with a primary vote of 11 per cent, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation was unchanged on six per cent and Clive Palmer’s deregistered United Australia Party remained on one per cent.
Satisfaction with Albanese’s performance fell five points to 57 per cent cent, while those saying they were dissatisfied rose four points to 33 per cent.
Despite the fall, Albanese still enjoys record-high approval ratings overall.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s satisfaction ratings were largely unchanged with his approval rating steady at 36 per cent while those dissatisfied with his performance rose one point to 46 per cent.
Dutton lifted two points as preferred prime minister to 26 per cent but remains 30 points behind Mr Albanese who dropped three points to 56 per cent.
The Newspoll was conducted between Wednesday and Saturday and interviewed 1512 voters throughout Australia.
