New RedBridge poll a cold reminder for Peter Dutton that cost of living is critical at this election

Unless the Coalition can find a way of fixing this, and soon, the election could be heading to an outcome that is not necessarily to its advantage, argues James Campbell.

Any way you cut it this is a bad poll for Coalition fans.

Economic management is meant to be the conservative’s main thing.

But according to Redbridge after almost three years in government, Labor under Anthony Albanese – Anthony Albanese! – leads them 31 per cent to 29 per cent on better economic vision for Australia and even more on whose economic vision is better for you.

And unless they can find a way of fixing this, and soon, the election could be heading to an outcome that is not necessarily to the Coalition’s advantage.

What about the fuel excise cut? Turns out they don’t mind it, but they like the income cut tax too, so that’s a one-all draw.

Cutting the permanent migrant intake is popular, but not nearly as popular as the $150 Albo’s offering off energy bills.

On the plus side the gas is popular and so too going after Coles and Woolies.

But on the downside the public aren’t that keen on sacking 41,000 public servants.

And women really hate the idea of ending work-from-home in the public sector.

Peter Dutton was out on Friday trying to explain this policy as being all about fairness or getting the value for money. Or something.

Peter Dutton visits a petrol station in Carlingford in Sydney to discuss fuel prices on the campaign trail for the 2025 federal election. Picture Thomas Lisson / NewsWire

The Coalition understand they need to dump and dump it quickly – it’s coming up when they call, when they doorknock and in their focus groups – but they’re worried the reverse ferret will derail their campaign momentum.

Too bad.

That’s what happens when you make a mistake, there’s never a right time to walk it back, you just have to do it before things get worse.

For months Labor have realised the only way they will get back is if they can grow their primary vote among women – men are a bigger problem.

Which is why they have had a laser-like focus on healthcare, child care, bill subsidies and tax cuts - all of which are targeted at suburban women.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese holds a Medicare card as he speaks during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: AFP

The result has been a massive improvement in the score people – read women – give Albo for having the right priorities.

That Peter Dutton would let them think he wants to send them back to the office five days a week was a dream beyond their wildest imagination.

Finally this poll is a reminder that EVERYTHING at this election is subordinate to cost-of-living.

Which is not, you know, a great revelation, it’s something every single poll has been saying for the past three years.

But it’s another reminder that a day when Peter Dutton is talking about ANYTHING else is a bad day for the Opposition Leader.

And yes that goes for defence, crime, immigration, how well the Liberals got on with Trump last time - ALL the things that are his policy safe spaces.

Because the polling is clear – the public think those issues are important but they’re not nearly as important as cost-of-living and economic management.

Which as Redbridge shows is - mysteriously - a big problem for the Coalition at the moment.

They need to fix it and fix it quickly.

Originally published as New RedBridge poll a cold reminder for Peter Dutton that cost of living is critical at this election