As the political landscape in Australia heats up with the approach of the federal election, voters are keenly watching the polls for any indication of which way the wind is blowing.

A recent Newspoll survey delivered a bombshell that revealed a shift in voter expectations.

This, in turn, left many Australians surprised and political analysts buzzing.


The survey, which polled 1,259 voters last week, indicated that 53 per cent of the respondents now expect the Liberal/National Coalition to win the upcoming election.

This percentage surpassed the remaining 47 per cent of respondents who believed Labor would win.

This poll marked a significant turnaround from just five months ago when 55 per cent of voters backed a Labor victory.


With this in mind, the Coalition has gained momentum and left many wondering about the factors contributing to this shift in public sentiment.

One key element was the approval rating of current Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

The Prime Minister's approval rate recently took a hit, plummeting to 37 per cent.

His dissatisfaction rate also rose to 57 per cent, resulting in a net negative approval rating of -20.

This six-point fall has been Prime Minister Albanese's worst rating since the 2022 election—a stark contrast to the optimism that once surrounded his leadership.


In comparison, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's approval rating rose slightly to 40 per cent.

However, he still has a net negative approval rating of -11.

Despite this, the Coalition's primary vote has increased since the last Newspoll, and they continue to lead on a two-party preferred basis at 51 per cent over Labor's 49 per cent.

While Prime Minister Albanese remained as Australia's preferred prime minister at 44 per cent, the margin between him and Mr Dutton has been at its narrowest since 2022.

Mr Dutton's support has increased to 41 per cent, suggesting a tight race for the country's top position.


The poll also showed voter expectations regarding the composition of the next parliament.

Two out of three voters believed that the election could result in a hung parliament, with either the Coalition or Labor leading a minority government.

About 29 per cent of the respondents expected the Coalition to win as a minority with the support of independents.

In comparison, only 15 per cent believed that Labor would maintain a majority government.

Demographics played a role in these perceptions, as 58 per cent of women believed in a Coalition victory.

Younger voters were also more inclined to a Coalition win at 53 per cent.


Despite the challenging poll results, Prime Minister Albanese remained confident and believed that his government was 'heading in the right direction'.

'I lead a government that's focused, that's orderly, that has seen Australia through some very difficult economic times,' Prime Minister Albanese cited.

'We understand that people have been doing it tough, but what we've done is act on that.'

With these poll results, this election could be one of the most intriguing polls in recent history.

It's a reminder of the importance of staying informed and exercising your right to vote. Did the poll results align with your expectations, or were you taken by surprise? We invite you to share your thoughts on these latest poll results in the comments section below.