‘It’s the cost of living, stupid’: How Dutton squandered his lead
At the half-way mark of the election campaign, the opposition leader is playing catch-up on the cost of living and Donald Trump’s trade war chaos hasn’t helped.
The spectre of Trump chaos has hurt the Coalition, and Peter Dutton’s rating as preferred prime minister has fallen by 4 points since Anthony Albanese fired the starter’s gun. Bethany Rae
F or the past two years, The Australian Financial Review/Freshwater Strategy poll has been asking voters the same question: “If an unexpected bill for $600 arrived today, how would you pay for it, if at all?”
The response has been pretty much the same. The last time the question was asked, in mid-March, just before the election was called for May 3, fewer than two thirds, or 59 per cent, said they could cover it from savings. Another 11 per cent said they would use their credit card.
Phillip CooreyPolitical editorPhillip Coorey is the political editor based in Canberra. He is a two-time winner of the Paul Lyneham award for press gallery excellence. Connect with Phillip on Facebook and Twitter. Email Phillip at pcoorey@afr.com
