Coalition loses ground amid slow vaccine rollout: Newspoll

Scott Morrison appears to be paying a price for the slow vaccine rollout with the Coalition dropping to its lowest level of support since the election.

The government is on shaky ground, falling to its lowest electoral position since Scott Morrison’s Prime Ministership began, according to the latest Newspoll.

Amid Covid-19 lockdowns in Sydney and Melbourne, Mr Morrison’s approval rating as PM has also dropped to its lowest level since the 2019-20 bushfire crisis, the poll, published in The Australian, shows.

Meanwhile, support for Labor is on the rise.

Australians are now in a deadlock, with 39 per cent saying they would vote for the Coalition, and 39 per cent voicing support for Labor.

This represents the worst result for the Coalition this term. If it was replicated at an election, the Morrison government would experience a significant defeat.

In a two-party preferred vote, 53 per cent report they would vote for Labor, while only 47 per cent would vote for the Coalition. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

In a two-party preferred vote, 53 per cent report they would vote for Labor, while only 47 per cent would vote for the Coalition.

Amid the slow vaccine rollout and indefinite lockdown of Sydney, Mr Morrison’s approval rating as PM sits at 51 per cent satisfied, and 45 per cent dissatisfied.

This a significant change from last month when 55 per cent reported being satisfied, and 41 per cent dissatisfied.

But Australians aren’t thrilled with their alternative leader either.

While Mr Morrison’s approval has dropped, he maintains a 18-point lead on Labor leader Anthony Albanese.

Fifty-one per cent of Australians prefer Mr Morrison as PM compared to 33 per cent for Mr Albanese.

With an election looming, both leaders will need to inspire a significant turnaround in Australians’ sentiments if either stands a chance of winning a majority government.

The Australian’s Newspoll was conducted from July 14 to 17 and polled 1506 voters across metropolitan and regional areas.

Sydney is now entering its fourth week of lockdown. The slow vaccine rollout is widely believed to be fuelling Scott Morrison’s falling popularity. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gaye Gerard