Federal election 2019: Labor extends lead in Macquarie

Labor has extended its lead in the marginal seat of Macquarie and looks set to hold the battleground after snatching it from the Liberals in 2016.

Labor has extended its lead in the marginal seat of Macquarie and looks set to hold the battleground after snatching it from the Liberals in 2016.

Susan Templeman MP set to keep the seat of Macquarie

An exclusive YouGov/Galaxy poll conducted for The Daily Telegraph shows Labor is leading in the seat 53/47, two party preferred.

Federal opposition leader Bill Shorten and MP Susan Templeman.

It’s a slightly stronger result than Labor’s 2016 position, which won the seat 52.2/47.8.

Both major party’s primary vote has claimed since the last election, with Labor leading at 43 per cent, ahead of the Liberals at 42, the Greens at 8 and the United Australia Party at 5.

In 2016, Labor held 35.5 per cent of the Primary and the Liberals 38.2, while the Greens held 11.2.

The poll, of 573 voters conducted on the evenings of 13-14 May shows the Government’s hope of claiming the seat to offset other losses could be dashed.

The government believes its position is stronger in the Hawkesbury segments of the seat, while Labor pulls ahead in the Blue Mountains booths.

It was revealed in this campaign that Labor MP Susan Templeman was at the function when former NSW Labor Leader Michael Daley made the remarks that Asians with PhDs were taking local jobs, which were widely seen to impact his tilt to win the state election.

She has fought against Liberal candidate Sarah Richards.

Liberal candidate for Macquarie Sarah Richards. Picture: Mick Tsikas

Voters were also asked who would make a better Prime Minister.

Scott Morrison led, with 47 per cent of the vote, followed by Bill Shorten on 44 per cent and 9 per cent uncommitted.