Victorian Coalition gains ground in Newspoll but Guy trails Andrews in preferred premier

THE Victorian Coalition is gaining ground ahead of November’s state election, drawing to within two points of Labor in the latest Newspoll.

THE Victorian Coalition is gaining ground ahead of November’s state election, lifting its polling position against Labor.

The Coalition trails Labor by just two percentage points at 49-51 per cent in the latest Newspoll, published today in The Australian.

The Andrews Government’s lead has slipped from 52-48 per cent in March.

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Premier Daniel Andrews still holds a commanding lead over Opposition Leader Matthew Guy as preferred premier. Picture: Nicole Garmston

The Victorian Coalition has strengthened its position ahead of November’s poll. Picture: Stuart McEvoy

Today’s result was based on polling conducted between April 13-16 before this week’s explosive allegations of a secret deal between the premier and fire union boss Peter Marshall. Mr Andrews vehemently denied there was a secret deal.

But Opposition Leader Matthew Guy still trails Premier Daniel Andrews in the preferred premier category at 41-34 per cent.

Labor’s primary vote lifted by one point to 38 per cent, while the Coalition saw a lift of two points to 41 per cent.

The Greens were steady at 11 per cent while One Nation dropped from 6 to 5 per cent.

The poll also found 69 per cent of voters want the Andrews Government to do more to stop gang violence.

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