Anthony Albanese’s bid to ward off minority government is becoming harder by the month, with voter pessimism hitting new heights, support for Labor flatlining, and the government lagging the Coalition on the core concerns of economic management and national security.

The latest The Australian Financial Review/Freshwater Strategy poll shows the Coalition leading by 51 per cent to 49 per cent on a two-party-preferred basis for the second successive month. If repeated on election day, it would send Labor well into minority.