‘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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We should go back to independents like before the war, more got done. The 2 party system has failed us. They are too busy pleasing their party instead of pleasing the people.
Unfortunately, today's independents have their own axes to grind and are parochial at best. They are not concentrated on Australia as a whole and that is why they have been ineffective over the past 30 odd years.
 
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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.
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That’s typical LNP voter, don’t even know how to spell LABOR.
Probably because Laborites really do labour the promise of committee after committee with a few enquiries thrown in. Even then they will consult the tarot cards to see what is popular before committing themselves to any action.
 
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Don’t like either of the major parties. Albaneze is all for looking after one nations people at the expense of the rest of Australia. Dutton is all about nuclear power stations. Where Mickey Mouse or Goofy. Think they’d do a better job! 😊
 
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Albanese is "reactive"...and waaay after he should have acted. A case of way too little too late. Thinking only of votes.

Israel, Palestine refugees, Ukraine support, etc.

Dutton is pro-active at least. Acting before or as soon as he should.

I'd rather go to war with Dutton at the helm...and there's a massive chance that war could happen...and soon.
 
Just a thought .... in light of the awful fire at the substation at Heathrow in London which has wrought so much damage, and which is suspected to be a possible Russian strike, I sure wouldn't want to see any nuclear power stations in Australia. They would become an automatic major target for an enemy strike as the damage this would do could be catastrophic :eek:
 
Just a thought .... in light of the awful fire at the substation at Heathrow in London which has wrought so much damage, and which is suspected to be a possible Russian strike, I sure wouldn't want to see any nuclear power stations in Australia. They would become an automatic major target for an enemy strike as the damage this would do could be catastrophic :eek:
We are already a target of the net zero idiots, thats what is going to shag us
 
All parties promise but never deliver.If you all are riled up stand for government yourself if you think you can do better and not be bribed
 
If it was desired to concoct a plan whereby successive generations of Australians would be severely compromised relative to their international rivals it would be difficult to go past a "net zero" strategy.
Such a strategy would forgo cheap 2nd generation coal-powered electricity generation in favour of "green" electricity generation producing an expensive and inadequate supply while having no effect on improving the climate.
The redirection of often borrowed investment funds away from manufacturing and innovation, and towards "green energy" vanity ideology will ensure that Australia will never be able to defend itself commercially or militarily, leaving the nation ripe for takeover by an aggressor who needs our land area and who invests in those areas in which Australia cannot now afford.
Cheap plentiful energy is fundamental to success and survival yet none within Australia's political spectrum will acknowledge and lead in this initiative.
I totally agree with you. Previous governments have sold off everything we once owned. We had a manufacturing industry. We had cheap oil and gas. There is absolutely no scientific proof that carbon dioxide drives global warming. We are just being conned. Our farming land is being sold off for housing and we have allowed people into this country who will never integrate into the Australian way of life.

Climate Change The Facts 2025 is worth reading. Also the Little Green Book by Professor Ian Plimer.

One Nation do have a policy that seems better than the rest but is it too late? What options do we have?

DEI: Out
World Health Organisation: Out
Gender Ideology: Out
Paris Climate Accord: Out
Criminal Immigrants: Out
Government Waste: Out
Endless Wars: Out
Economic Growth: In
Mining and Oil Drilling: In
Fair Trade Protections: In
Restoration of Traditional Values: In
 
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