Support for Albo, Dutton plunges

Australian voters’ dissatisfaction for the major parties is growing, with both Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton copping hits to their approval ratings, according to the latest Newspoll.

Both leaders recorded drops to their net satisfaction levels, with Mr Albanese falling to minus 11 and Mr Dutton plunging six points to minus 16.

Dissatisfaction for the Prime Minister’s performance increased by three points to 53 per cent; however, dissatisfaction with Mr Dutton rose by five points to 54 per cent.

Both leaders also lost 1 per cent over their approval ratings, with Mr Albanese recording 42 per cent and Mr Dutton falling to 38 per cent.

Insights as to who would make the better prime minister remained unchanged from the last Newspoll on June 9, with 46 per cent supporting Mr Albanese, 38 per cent supporting Mr Dutton and 16 per cent uncommitted.

The Coalition’s pledge to build seven nuclear power plants by 2050 if they win government also appeared divisive and failed to win over votes, with its primary vote dropping by three points to 36 per cent since the June 9 poll.

While Labor gained one point to 32 per cent, the result is still markedly lower than its post-election 2022 high of 39 per cent.

The government was still ahead based on a two-party preferred system. Labor increased its preferences by one point to 51, while the Coalition dropped by one point to 49.

The latest Newspoll also reported support for the Greens increasing, with the minor party gaining two points to 13 per cent.

One Nation remained stable at 7 per cent, with 12 per cent of the 1260 respondents opting to give independents or teal candidates, their primary vote.

Voters also appeared divided over the Coalition’s nuclear pledge.

Forty-five per cent said they disapproved of the nuclear plan, while 42 per cent of the 1260 respondents were in support. Thirteen per cent said they had yet to decide.

The majority of women (51 per cent) were either strongly against, or partly against, Australia going nuclear compared with 38 per cent of male voters.