Support for Coalition and Labor falls as nuclear debate divides voters
Voters are split over Peter Dutton’s nuclear power plan, with support for both parties at near-record levels of disapproval, according to the latest poll.
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An exclusive Newspoll conducted for The Australian shows the primary vote for the Coalition has dropped by three points to 36 per cent in the past three weeks with Labor dropping a point to 32 per cent.
The sharp fall in support for the primary parties comes after Peter Dutton’s release of a nuclear power plan, which has sparked a clash over the major parties’ energy and climate policies.
In the latest poll, voters have expressed near-record levels of dissatisfaction with both PM Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Mr Dutton this term.
The Newspoll showed voters divided over Mr Dutton’s nuclear energy plan, which outlines seven regional sites around the Australia where nuclear reactors would replace aging coal-fired power plants through the mid-2030s to 2050s.
A total of 42 per cent of voters said they approved of the plan, while 45 per cent said they disapproved. Undecided were 13 per cent of voters.
The division was along gender lines with only 32 per cent of women approving of the policy.
A majority of male voters (54 per cent) backed the plan while 51 per cent of female voters disapproved.
Older voters were also more supportive than younger voters.
The four-point fall in overall support for the major parties continues the trend towards a possible minority Labor government if an election were to be held now.
The Albanese government has come under fire for not considering a nuclear power industry, despite having committed to nuclear powered submarines, as well as poor inflation numbers, and Labor senator Fatima Payman crossing the floor over the recognition of Palestinian statehood.
But the poll results also suggest that the Coalition’s nuclear strategy may have cost them votes.
On a two-party-preferred basis, Labor lead the Liberal/Nationals Coalition 51-49, compared to 50-50 in the previous Newspoll.
The Greens vote lifted two points to 13 per cent, its highest level of support since the election.
Both the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader suffered falls in their net approval ratings, with Mr Albanese and Mr Dutton in negative territory.
Mr Albanese’s approval fell a point to 42 per cent while dissatisfaction with his performance rose three points to 53 per cent.
Mr Dutton’s approval rating fell a point to 38 per cent but those dissatisfied rose five points to 54 per cent.
Mr Albanese’s net approval rating of minus 11 was two points higher than his worst result of minus 13 following the failed voice referendum.
Mr Dutton’s net approval of minus 16 was above his worst - minus 20 - of September last year.
Who would make the better prime minister remained at 46 per cent to 38 per cent in Mr Albanese’s favour.
The decline in support for both major parties saw a boost in support for the Greens and independents, pointing to a rerun of the last election with historically low levels of primary vote support for Labor and the Liberal/Nationals parties.
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