Scott Morrison concedes ‘very strong prospect’ of Labor election win

Scott Morrison says the Coalition has a “big mountain to climb” ahead of the election, as Newspoll points to a Labor victory.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten. Picture: AAP

Bill Shorten has a “very strong prospect” of winning the next federal election and the Coalition has a “big mountain to climb” to hold onto government, Scott Morrison says.

The Prime Minister conceded this morning he faced defeat after Newspoll today showed the government had gone backwards in the past two weeks, to an election-losing two-party preferred margin of 45 per cent for the Coalition to Labor’s 55 per cent.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Picture: AAP

“I knew when I had to step up just over ten weeks ago, that I had a big mountain to climb,” he told Sky News. “None of us what it is happening is surprising me. I didn’t take the job thinking it would be an easy one. I have always taken on hard jobs in my political career.

“There is a very strong prospect of Bill Shorten being the prime minister after the next election, of course there is. Anyone reading that (Newspoll) today couldn’t come to any other conclusion. The question is: do you want Bill Shorten as prime minister?”

.@ScottMorrisonMP on Newspoll: There is a very strong prospect of @billshortenmp being the Prime Minister after the next election, of course there is.

MORE: https://t.co/NkSZWKVF0j #SkyLiveNow pic.twitter.com/PVjnMFsB4P

— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) November 12, 2018

Mr Morrison said he believed when he came to office that he could win the next election, and that he still believes he can beat Mr Shorten by focusing on the economy and energy policy.

Today’s Newspoll is the second poll in a row showing a fall in support for the government since its defeat in the Wentworth by-election and erases almost all the gains made over the past two months by Mr Morrison when he took over as Prime Minister.

Mr Morrison’s initial popular appeal also continued to fade in today’s Newspoll, with his approval ratings dipping further into negative territory while the margin to Labor leader Bill Shorten for preferred prime minister also narrowed.

Labor also now sits on a commanding primary vote lead of 40 per cent, while the government has fallen one point to 35 per cent.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott said the latest Newspoll was “not great” but Mr Morrison could still win the next election.

“Obviously the polls, are not great ... Sure we’ve had our ups and downs, but we have essentially been a strong and competent government over the last five years,” he told 2GB today.

“I don’t think anyone should write this Coalition government off yet.”