Newspoll: Anthony Albanese’s approval dips, support for Indigenous Voice grows

Anthony Albanese’s approval ratings have taken a hit as backing for the Indigenous Voice builds, according to the latest Newspoll.

Labor has begun the parliamentary year with a significant electoral lead over the Liberal and Nationals parties, despite a dip in approval for Anthony Albanese and an increase in support over summer for independents.

An exclusive Newspoll conducted for The Australian shows Labor has kept a 10-point lead over the Coalition on a two-party-preferred basis, which gives the party political momentum ahead of a projected economic downturn this year.

Anthony Albanese’s approval ratings have taken a hit. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

The most significant movement in the Newspoll survey overall was a notable fall in Mr Albanese’s approval ratings.

The Labor leader still enjoys ­record high approval ratings ­overall, which he has maintained since Labor won the election last May.

But there was a drop in those satisfied with his performance, which fell to 57 per cent from 62 per cent.

Anthony Albanese still leads Peter Dutton by a significant margin as preferred PM but the opposition leader made some ground. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Martin Ollman

Opposition Leader Peter ­Dutton’s approval ratings ­remained mostly unchanged, with a 36 per cent approval rating and a 46 per cent disapproval ­rating – a one point drop.

His net approval ratings fell from negative 9 per cent to negative 10 per cent.

As preferred PM, however, Mr Dutton gained on Mr Albanese rising two points in the head-to-head contest to 26 per cent while Mr Albanese fell three points to 56 per cent.

INDIGENOUS VOICE EARNS SUPPORT

Meanwhile, a majority of Australians have supported a change to the Constitution which would enshrine an Indigenous Voice to parliament.

An exclusive Newspoll conducted for The Australian revealed that 56 per cent of voters were in favour of constitutional change for a Voice to parliament, with 37 per cent saying they were against the proposal.

Special Envoy for Reconciliation, Senator Patrick Dodson, with Anthony Albanese. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Martin Ollman

Labor’s Special Envoy for Reconciliation, Patrick Dodson, said an Indigenous Voice to parliament should have a role in advising the national cabinet in an apparent extension of the prospective model.

Senator Dodson – known as the “father of reconciliation” – said it would be “wise” for it to be involved with the nation’s leading body of first ministers.

“I’m not sure how that’s going to work out in the legislative framework of how to interact with the parliament and the executive government, but … I would think that (national cabinet is) one of the aspects that you’d want to be able to talk to,” he said.

“Ultimately the privacy and primacy of those institutions would remain as they are … But in the spirit of a referendum that supports the provision that’s been put forward, then I would think a wise leader would want to consult with them in as effective a way as possible.”

Originally published as Newspoll: Anthony Albanese’s approval dips, support for Indigenous Voice grows