Scott Morrison’s approval rating takes a hit over vaccine rollout

Australian voters have registered their disapproval with Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s management of the coronavirus pandemic.

Support for the federal Coalition has dropped to its lowest electoral position this term amid rising Covid cases and new lockdowns in Victoria and NSW.

A Newspoll conducted exclusively for The Australian shows the Coalition and Labor now each deadlocked at 39 per cent as Scott Morrison’s net approval rating slumped to its lowest level since the 2019-20 bushfire crisis.

With Labor premiers putting blame on the federal government for the two state lockdowns, frustration is growing over the sluggish vaccine rollout.

The Coalition’s primary vote has fallen two points to 39 per cent while Labor’s primary vote rose by the same amount over the same three-week period.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks during a press conference at Kirribilli House as lockdown restrictions are extended. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

This means a four-point shift in the two-party-preferred vote to 53-47 in favour of Labor.

While the parties have been deadlocked at 39 per cent previously – in March during the outrage over the Liberal Party’s treatment of women – the two party ­preferred vote split was 52-48.

The latest Newspoll represents the worst result for the Coalition this term and if an election were held now based on these results, would see defeat for the federal government.

Satisfaction with Mr Morrison’s handling of the pandemic fell nine points in the past three weeks to 52 per cent, after reaching a high of 85 per cent in April last year.

Confidence in the federal government’s management of the vaccine rollout has entered negative territory for the first time, with only 40 per cent believing the inoculation drive was being handled satisfactorily.

The results also showed an eight-point shift in overall satisfaction with Mr Morrison’s leadership, with a four-point drop to 51 per cent in those satisfied.

Those dissatisfied with the Prime Minister have risen four-points to 45 per cent.

The Leader of the Australian Labor Party, Anthony Albanese, in Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston

Labor leader Anthony Albanese was also marked down by voters, with a two-point drop in satisfaction to 38 per cent and a single point rise to 46 per cent in dissatisfaction.

Mr Morrison had a two-point dip but remains 18 points ahead of his opposition as the preferred prime minister on 51 per cent compared to an unchanged position for Mr Albanese on 33 per cent.

The latest result represents an 18-point fall on handling of the coronavirus since April 24 this year when the government held a 43 percentage point net positive rating.

This has now dropped to plus seven in a result split along party lines.