Newspoll: Grim news for Prime Minister Scott Morrison as Labor surges in polls

Things are looking grim for the Prime Minister as voter sentiment is shifting in Labor’s favour, according to the latest Newspoll.

The election is Labor’s to lose, with the latest Newspoll released on the eve of the final fortnight revealing Anthony Albanese is closing the gap on Scott Morrison as preferred Prime Minister.

With early voting open from Monday morning, the two men are expected to spend the final 13 days zigzagging across the country attacking the other, with no major policy announcements to come.

If the latest Newspoll is to be believed, however, Labor is in prime position, with the two party preferred vote now sitting in their favour at 54/46 – two points better than they were a week ago.

With just under two weeks to go Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese is in pole position. Picture: Alex Ellinghausen/ Getty Images

Popular support for Labor has also lifted a point to 39 per cent, with the Coalition falling a point to 35 per cent. This is the largest margin Labor has held over the incumbents since the start of the campaign.

If the figures were to be repeated come May 21, Labor would gain a considerable majority victory and would leave the Coalition in its wake.

In terms of preferred Prime Minister, Mr Morrison has suffered at Mr Albanese’s benefit – with the Opposition Leader’s rating increasing three points to 42 per cent to Mr Morrison’s 44 per cent.

At least 14 per cent of voters are still uncommitted.

Mr Albanese is closing the gap as preferred Prime Minister. Picture: Liam Kidston

After a week dominated by the economy, and questions being raised about Mr Morrison’s pitch as the better economic manager given the RBA’s interest rate hike – Mr Morrison’s satisfaction rating fell three points to 41 per cent.

Mr Morrison’s current approval rating is a net negative of minus 14 – the lowest score he’s had since early March.

Mr Albanese lifted a point to 41 per cent, and has a net negative rating of minus six.

The poll has also broken down voter sentiment by gender, with women leaning heavily towards Labor – 45 per cent to 38 per cent, with 17 per cent undecided. Male voters were more evenly split at 44 per cent.

Young voters were more likely than older voters to back Labor – 57 per cent of 18- to 34- year-olds said they would back Mr Albanese while 59 per cent of over-65s indicating they would vote for the Coalition.

The leaders have just under two weeks to convince the millions of undecided Australians as to why they should be the next Prime Minister. Picture: Alex Ellinghausen/Getty Images

Given ANU analysis has revealed cost of living is the biggest concern voters have, the Newspoll has revealed Labor is marginally ahead of the Coalition as the party best placed to navigate the pressures – with 44 per cent saying Mr Albanese would be better at managing cost-of-living pressures compared to Mr Morrison’s 41 per cent.

The Newspoll was released hours after the latest Ipsos poll, which also has Labor in prime position – leading the government 57-43 per cent, compared to the 55-45 per cent split two weeks ago.

Mr Albanese is ahead of Mr Morrison has preferred Prime Minister 41-36 per cent – a three point gap-widening.