Labor bleeding support in NSW, poll shows

With next year’s federal election looming, Labor is bleeding support in a key state.

Federal Labor is bleeding supporters in the country’s most populous state, according to a fresh poll.

An exclusive Newspoll for The Australian shows Labor’s primary vote has fallen to 30 per cent in NSW for the first time since 2013, with a swing against the government that could unseat as many as four federal MPs.

The historic low was driven by disgruntlement among middle-aged voters and ethnic communities.

NSW already has the largest contingent of independent MPs.

But a rise in independent candidates in targeting Labor in Sydney’s west, such as the Muslim Vote movement, is presenting a fresh challenge for the government.

The federal government is under pressure from a shift toward independents in Australia’s most populous state. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The electoral authority’s abolishment of the Teal seat of North Sydney is also shaking up the voter mix in Sydney’s highly marginal north, with the Labor-held seat of Bennelong absorbing some of the 100,000 voters along with the Liberal seat of Bradfield and independent-held Warringah at next federal election.

Primary support for the Coalition remained higher in NSW, sitting at 38 per cent.

On a two-party preferred basis, Labor and the Coalition were neck and neck.

More to come.