Voters have not swung behind the Coalition,however,with its core support now at similar levels to that in January (29 per cent) and February (31 per cent). The Coalition primary vote has eased from 34 per cent in September.
The Greens have increased their primary vote from 12 to 13 per cent over the past month while independent MPs’ support has held at 9 per cent.
While the changes were within the margin of error for this survey,the findings confirm a steep slide in support for Labor from its primary vote of 42 per cent in May.
The Resolve Political Monitor surveyed 1602 eligible voters from November 1 to 5,when debate was dominated by the global economy,thewar in the Middle East and the prime minister’svisits to the United States andChina.
It was conducted just days before the Reserve Bank lifted interest rates to a12-year high of 4.35 per cent,warning the risk of inflation remaining higher for longer had increased.
Reed said the findings showed concerns about the economy were on the rise.
“Economic management has traditionally been a Coalition strength,and we’ve seen that return to type over the last few months,” he said.
“The opposition also now holds a relative lead on tackling the cost of living,so it’s clear that Labor is struggling to satisfy voter expectations here.
“Dutton’s profile has improved markedly since theAston byelection earlier this year,but it’s failed to translate into vote share. There are lots of people who voted Labor in 2022 who are disgruntled with the government,but it seems they cannot yet make the leap to voting for Dutton and the Coalition.”
Asked which party and leader were best to manage the economy,34 per cent named Dutton and the Coalition and 27 per cent named Albanese and Labor – the worst rating for the government this year and a reversal from its lead on this question up to June.
Asked which side was best to keep the cost of living down,29 per cent named Dutton and the Coalition and 24 per cent named Albanese and Labor,also the government’s worst rating.
On jobs and wages,however,34 per cent of voters named Albanese and Labor as the best side to manage the issue,while 25 per cent named Dutton and the Coalition.
Asked about Albanese,39 per cent of voters said he was doing a good job and 46 per cent said he was doing a poor job,resulting in a negative net performance rating of minus 6 points. The net result deteriorated from plus 1 point in October and represents a big decline from his positive net rating of 27 points after the May budget.
Asked about Dutton,36 per cent said he was doing a good job and 40 per cent said he was doing a poor job,producing a net rating of minus 4 points,a big improvement from minus 15 points in October and the opposition leader’s best result since the election.
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