Newspoll: Labor in front but Scott Morrison ahead of Anthony Albanese as preferred PM

The latest newspoll indicates that if an election were held now, Labor would win, but Scott Morrison is the preferred prime minister.

Scott Morrison is ahead of Anthony Albanese as the preferred prime minister despite a drop in his approval ratings caused by foreign policy issues connected to China’s deal with the Solomon Islands.

An exclusive Newspoll conducted for The Australian shows Labor leading the Coalition 53-47 on a two-party-preferred basis, meaning Labor would hypothetically secure majority government if the election were held now.

The poll shows popular support for the Coalition rising a point to 36 per cent, while

Labor also lifted a point to 37 per cent.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison at Cazalys Palmerston Club to play Two Up on ANZAC day in Darwin NT. The latest Newspoll indicates he is the preferred prime minister. Picture: Jason Edwards

The small gain for the major parties corresponds with a drop in support for left- and right-wing minor parties, with the Greens falling a point to 11 per cent and Pauline Hanson’s One Nation falling a point to 3 per cent.

Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party remained at 4 per cent while support for other minor parties and independent candidates stayed at 9 per cent.

In terms of who is the preferred leader, Mr Morrison increased the margin over Mr Albanese for the second week in a row.

Mr Albanese has had a disastrous first week of campaigning topped off with contracting Covid-19 and being required to isolate at home. He now trails Mr Morrison by nine points with the prime minister enjoying a two-point rise to 46 per cent compared with the Labor leader unchanged on 37 per cent.

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese at home in Covid-19 isolation. The latest Newspoll shows Labor is the preferred party. Picture: Facebook

The widening gap between the two leaders came despite a three-point drop in the Prime Minister’s net approval rating.

Mr Morrison’s approval fell a point to 42 per cent while dissatisfaction with his performance rose two points to 54 per cent.

After last week recording his lowest approval ratings since becoming leader, Mr Albanese rose a point to 38 per cent while his dissatisfaction rating fell a point to 50 per cent.

Both leaders have a net negative satisfaction level of minus 12, reflecting dissatisfaction over foreign policy regarding China.

Originally published as Newspoll: Labor in front but Scott Morrison ahead of Anthony Albanese as preferred PM