Major parties have a messaging problem, polls reveal

Key polls have shed some light on the challenges facing Labor and the Coalition ahead of the upcoming federal election.

Key polls show both Labor and the Coalition are failing to get across key messages, adding to expectations of a hung parliament in the upcoming federal election.

The latest Essential poll, published by The Guardian on Tuesday, found many voters were unaware of key Albanese government wins and policies.

Respondents were asked to go through a list of major achievements and say which ones rang a bell.

Key polls show the Albanese government and the opposition have a messaging problem. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Only 46 per cent knew of Labor’s back-to-back surpluses, while 47 per cent knew of the National Plan to End Gender Based Violence and 49 per cent were aware of plans to boost social housing.

Labor’s changes to stage 3 tax cuts, which primarily affect low and middle income taxpayers, crept into the majority at 55 per cent.

Some 66 per cent said they knew of the $16bn slash to student debts, affecting about three million Australians.

A standout was the blanket $300 energy bill rebates, with 77 per cent of respondents recognising the popular policy.

Latest Newspoll data, published by The Australian, showed the Coalition was struggling with its messaging, too.

It found less than a quarter of respondents thought inflation would be lower under the opposition.

Selling the Coalition as better money managers has been central to Peter Dutton’s election pitch.

But the Newspoll found 25 per cent of voters thought inflation would be higher, while 31 per cent thought it would be about the same.

Just 24 per cent thought it would be lower.

Polling data published over the weekend suggested neither Anthony Albanese nor the Opposition Leader were wooing enough voters to win government outright.

Other Newspoll data indicated a 3.1 per cent swing against Labor, translating into a loss of up to eight seats, which would block any pathways to the ALP governing in majority.

But Mr Dutton would need a swing of about double that to form a majority Coalition government.

It echoed YouGov and Redbridge findings.

YouGov predicted the Coalition would secure 73 seats with a range of 65-80.

It tipped Labor to win 66 with a range of 59-72.

With 76 seats required to form government, YouGov projected a 78 per cent chance of a hung parliament.

Similarly, Redbridge found the Coalition was ahead of Labor 52-48 in pivotal marginal seats but still fell short of a clear pathway to a majority.

This means leaders would need to look to the crossbench to get their numbers for a government.

Mr Albanese has maintained Labor intends to win in majority and has not floated whom he might work with publicly.

Although, he did host independents for drinks at the his residence last week in Canberra.

Mr Dutton, however, has named Bob Katter, Allegra Spender and Dai Le as potential collaborators.

Originally published as Major parties have a messaging problem, polls reveal