Newspoll: Coalition slips after divisive debates on company tax cuts, race-hate laws

SCOTT Morrison had a fiery exchange with a radio host, who attacked him over the Coalition’s poor Newspoll — and it had a dramatic ending.

Malcolm Turnbull (pictured) has lost ground to Bill Shorten as preferred prime minister. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

TREASURER Scott Morrison had a fiery exchange with radio host Ray Hadley, who attacked him over the Coalition’s poor Newspoll — and it had a dramatic ending.

On 2GB radio today, Hadley said that if Malcolm Turnbull cannot lead Bill Shorten by 20 points, he shouldn’t be Prime Minister.

“If Bill Shorten can’t be led by 20 percentage points, the bloke who can’t lead him by 20 percentage points based on his performance shouldn’t be Prime Minister that’s what I’m saying to you!” Hadley said.

Hadley called out Mr Morrison, saying he could not avoid commenting on the Newspoll results.

“You bag the crap out of Bill Shorten every time you get on the program you give it to him and I don’t argue with you because I don’t think he’d make a great Prime Minister,” Hadley said.

“But he’s actually taken ground off the Prime Minister and you can’t get out of this — you basically described him as un-electable, he’s stupid, he’s dumb, yet he takes ground off your prime minister.”

Treasurer Scott Morrison and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Picture: AAP

Mr Morrison fought back, saying: “The election is in two years and that’s when the ultimate test will be put and they’ll be looking at what we’ve done and I’m focused on what we’re doing. Tax cuts in the last week, affordable childcare and saving measures through the parliament the week before that, Ray, we’re just getting on with the job of government and people will be able to make up their mind when we come to the next election. And they know Bill Shorten’s a phony and as time goes on ...”

Hadley then said: “he beats, he’s getting closer to beating your bloke in the race to be the preferred Prime Minister! If he’s a phony what’s that make your man?”

Mr Morrison replied: “He’s still a long way behind the Prime Minister Ray...”

After Hadley made his final criticism and referred to Mr Turnbull being unable to lead Mr Shorten by 20 points, the phone cut out. The Treasurer was gone.

Listen to it below:

NEWSPOLL RESULTS REACH NEW LOW

SUPPORT for the Coalition has tumbled to another dangerous low following divisive debates on company tax cuts and race-hate laws.

The latest Newspoll, conducted for The Australian, shows the government is trailing Labor by 47 to 53 per cent in two-party terms.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull also lost ground to Opposition Leader Bill Shorten as preferred prime minister to lead by only 41 per cent to 32 per cent on the key leadership measure.

The survey of 1708 voters, taken from Thursday to Sunday, revealed a dip in the Coalition’s primary vote from 37 per cent to 36 per cent over the past fortnight to give Labor a clear election-winning lead.

Mr Turnbull’s net satisfaction rating has weakened slightly from -27 points to -29 points since the previous poll, taken on March 16-19.

Bill Shorten (pictured) has narrowed the gap against Malcolm Turnbull as preferred prime minister. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

According to the poll, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation kept its hold on 10 per cent of voters to match support shown for the Greens.

The Newspoll comes after a tumultuous week for the government, during which the Senate approved some of its company tax cuts but voted down the proposal to scale back the Racial Discrimination Act’s section 18C.

Pauline Hanson’s One Nation has kept its hold on 10 per cent of voters. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Read more at The Australian.