Newspoll: Scott Morrison support dips, Labor’s best result in six months

Popular support for Prime Minister Scott Morrison has dipped in a new opinion poll that shows Labor’s best result in six months.

Popular support for Prime Minister Scott Morrison has dipped as Labor prepares to ramp up its attack on the government over jobs and the nation’s economic recovery from the pandemic.

A new opinion poll shows competition between the two major parties has tightened to 50-50 after the Coalition lost its one point lead to Labor.

The development follows Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese last week unveiling his new frontbench ahead of the next election that could be held as early as August.

It is the first time since August last year that both parties sit at 50 on a two-party preferred basis, according to the YouGov poll.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison will kick off the parliamentary year with a speech at the National Press Club on Monday. Picture: Pool via NCA NewsWire / Jenny Evans

The Coalition’s primary vote has also slipped one point to 42 per cent, while Labor’s primary vote has flatlined at 36 per cent.

Mr Morrison’s personal approval rating as preferred prime minister fell three points to 57 per cent after a month of border woes, culture wars over Australia Day and criticism over his response to the US Capitol riots.

Voter disapproval rose three points to 33 per cent.

But Mr Albanese didn’t make any gains in this area either, with more people (43 per cent) dissatisfied with his performance than satisfied (41 per cent).

His standing as ‘better prime minister’ rebounded one point to 29 per cent as he told voters he now had the strongest team to form an Albanese Labor government.

Speaking on Monday, Mr Albanese told ABC RN the Labor Party had learnt the hard way at the last election that there is only one poll that counts.

“I’m determined to ensure the Labor is ahead on polling day and that we are in a position to form a government,” he said.

Anthony Albanese’s leadership had come under the microscope over the past few months following issues of climate policies. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

“The caucus has learnt its lesson. We know what occurs when we are focused on ourselves.

“I’m just focused on making sure we have the best platform, the best menu that we will be taking to the Australian people at the next election.”

Mr Albanese said their agenda would include COVID-19 vaccines, jobs and economic recovery from the pandemic.

“Where’s the real strategy or vision from this prime minister who is in government in a position to do it right now,” he said.

Warren Brown cartoon about Anthony Albanese’s leadership.

Labor MPs last week backed in Mr Albanese’s leadership, saying he would take them to the next election.

Opposition education spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek told Today she was not going to roll Mr Albanese.

“I’m doing my job, which is the shadow minister for education, and I’m doing it the best I can so that I can be part of an Anthony Albanese Labor government,” she said.