Labor in front of Coalition in two-party Newspoll

A FEW short months ago, Malcolm Turnbull seemed untouchable. Now, for the first time as PM, he’s in big trouble.

PM and Treasurer

THE Turnbull government has lost its two-party lead to Labor for the first time since Malcolm Turnbull became Prime Minister, according to the latest Newspoll.

The Australian is reporting that the Bill Shorten-led opposition is now ahead of the Coalition — 51 per cent to 49 per cent — in two-party terms.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten. Picture Kym Smith

It is a six-month low for the Turnbull government amid speculation of a possible double-dissolution election.

Labor’s primary vote has climbed two points to a six-month high of 36 per cent, at the expense of the Coalition who dropped two points to 41 per cent.

The Greens are also down one point to 11 per cent.

According to the poll Mr Turnbull remains the preferred prime minister but his lead over Mr Shorten dropped 10 points from 31 to 21 points.

Mr Turnbull’s satisfaction rating slipped to 38 per cent while Mr Shorten’s rose to 32 per cent, just six points shy of the prime minister.

The poll was taken from Thursday to Sunday after Mr Turnbull floated the idea of giving states some income tax-raising powers, and amid perceived tensions between him and Treasurer Scott Morrison.

However, the latest Roy Morgan poll also released on Monday showed the coalition increasing its support on a two-party preferred basis by three points to 52.5 per cent, overtaking Labor which was down three points to 47.5 per cent.