‘It is a very close race’: New poll reveals a shocking election twist

Election season is heating up, and the latest poll numbers suggest a race that’s tighter than ever.

As political leaders gear up for a critical showdown, shifting voter sentiments and key approval ratings could play a decisive role in the outcome.

With the election date announcement imminent, the stakes have never been higher.


With the federal election fast approaching, the latest YouGov poll revealed a dramatic shift in voter sentiment, placing Labor and the Coalition neck and neck at 50-50 on a two-party preferred basis.

This marks a change from the previous poll, where Labor had a slight edge at 51 to 49 per cent, bolstered by its response to ex-tropical cyclone Alfred and support for Ukraine.

Despite the Coalition gaining ground, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remained the preferred leader, leading Opposition Leader Peter Dutton 45 per cent to 40 per cent.


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Election race tightens as Coalition gains ground.


Paul Smith, YouGov’s director of public data, noted that Albanese’s personal approval could be a decisive factor in such a tight contest.

‘It is a very close race but the prime minister has now consolidated his lead as preferred leader and that is significant,’ he said.

The poll showed Labor’s primary vote remained steady at 31 per cent, while the Coalition rose by one point to 37 per cent.

The Greens and One Nation each dropped slightly, falling to 13 per cent and 7 per cent, respectively, while support for independents declined to 8 per cent.

Clive Palmer’s Trumpet of Patriots party remained at just 1 per cent, despite another round of heavy advertising.

Dutton saw an improvement in his satisfaction ratings, with 42 per cent of respondents approving of his performance and 47 per cent disapproving, giving him a net satisfaction of minus five per cent.

Albanese’s net satisfaction dropped to minus nine per cent, with 41 per cent of respondents expressing approval and 50 per cent dissatisfied with his leadership.


The polling results came just as Labor prepared to deliver the federal Budget, expected to show a deficit following consecutive surpluses.

This financial outlook led to speculation that the government might bypass the Budget altogether and go straight to an election.

However, the impact of Cyclone Alfred in Queensland and northern New South Wales delayed Albanese’s plans to visit the governor-general.

With the election required to be held by 17 May, Albanese was expected to call the poll in the days following the Budget.

The YouGov survey, conducted between 14 and 18 March, polled 1,500 Australians and had a margin of error of 3.4 per cent.


In a previous story, we explored Clive Palmer’s latest political push as he ramps up efforts ahead of the election.

With his Trumpet of Patriots party polling at just 1 per cent despite a costly advertising campaign, questions remain about its impact on the race.

Read more to see how Palmer’s bold strategy could shake up the election landscape.

Key Takeaways
  • The latest YouGov poll showed Labor and the Coalition tied at 50-50 on a two-party preferred basis.
  • Anthony Albanese remained the preferred prime minister over Peter Dutton, leading 45 per cent to 40 per cent.
  • Labor’s primary vote stayed at 31 per cent, while the Coalition rose to 37 per cent, with minor parties losing support.
  • The election must be held by 17 May, with Albanese expected to call it after the federal Budget.

With the election shaping up to be a tight contest, which issue do you think will sway voters the most? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
 

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Continually changing government is not going to fix the issues a reduction in their payment would and the rise in pension is normal indexation. We need to consider spending on protection as we are very vulnerable at present with the US behaving the way it is at present. Just my thoughts
 
To be frank, both parties are as bad as one another. They promise the world leading up to an election then we are totally disregarded and they do exactly what they want. They forget they are meant to be representing the people who voted them in. It is farcical and it really is a case if you show me an honest politician I will vote for him or her. I think most of Australia have been disillusioned and disappointed by the crop we have had for the last few years.
 
I can tell you for nothing that I WON'T be voting for nuclear power. I suspect Dutton will leave that alone in his election campaign as it isn't popular. Then he will do it if he is elected. I have never seen so much work being done on infrastructure in Victoria, especially in the West, as now. When the LNP is in power we get nothing, it always is the East that benefits. Yes it costs a lot of money to build roads etc but we continue to grow with immigration so it would have to be done at some point anyway. It is an investment NOT an expense. I won't vote for an independent when, whether we like it or not, it will be one of the two major parties that gets into power. The minor preferences can swing a vote to the wrong party for me and they can hold the country to ransom, I am not in favour of a party with 1% of the vote holding that much power.
 
To be frank, both parties are as bad as one another. They promise the world leading up to an election then we are totally disregarded and they do exactly what they want. They forget they are meant to be representing the people who voted them in. It is farcical and it really is a case if you show me an honest politician I will vote for him or her. I think most of Australia have been disillusioned and disappointed by the crop we have had for the last few years.
I totally agree with you. Perhaps we need to look at some of the independents to try and keep the others honest.
 
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