Support for Peter Dutton’s Coalition has crashed while support for the ALP is now at its highest level since forming government three years ago, according to a YouGov poll.
Anthony Albanese’s ALP now leads the primary vote for the first time at 33.5% — up from 33% a week ago — while the Coalition has slumped 2 percentage points to 31%.
On a two-party preferred basis, the ALP now leads the Coalition 53.5% to 46.5% — its highest two-party preferred rating this term.
“In an election held today, the Coalition would receive the lowest vote since the Liberal Party was formed in 1944,” said Paul Smith, YouGov’s director of public data.
“Labor now holds a clear lead in all states except Queensland and is ahead in key outer metropolitan seats that will determine the next election”.
“In an election held today, the Coalition would receive the lowest vote since the Liberal Party was formed” — Paul Smith
Support for the Coalition has slumped 2 percentage points in a week. Source: YouGov; Picture top, Liberal leader Peter Dutton. Source: ABC News/Matt Roberts
The Greens increased 1 percentage point to 14%, while, according to the poll, support for Independents had plunged from 10% to 5%.
Support for billionaire coal baron Clive Palmer’s Trumpet of Patriots remained unchanged at 2%.
The poll of 1500 people was conducted between April 17 and April 22, with its results compared against the previous poll published on April 18.
The gap between leaders as “preferred prime minister” has continued to grow, with Albanese at 50% compared to Dutton’s 35%.
Albanese now leads in “all states and across demographics: men, women, regional, rural and capital city voters”.
“Albanese is now the preferred Prime Minister in every demographic group and geographic region across the country,” Smith said.
“Albanese leads in all states and across demographics: men, women, regional, rural, and capital city voters” — YouGov
Source: YouGov
In outer metropolitan regions — where the Coalition has fought to attract voters — 50% said they thought Albanese would make the best Prime Minister, compared to 32% who said Peter Dutton.
Rural voters were also more likely to name Albanese as the better Prime Minister, at 45%, compared to 42% naming Dutton.
The “net satisfaction” of both leaders remained negative but voters “rate Peter Dutton much more negatively” at minus 18%, which was the lowest net satisfaction rating for any leader this term in YouGov’s public data poll series”.
Source: YouGov
The election will be held on May 3, although pre-poll voting started on Tuesday.
A record 542,000 people voted Tuesday, up 72% on the first day of pre-poll voting before the 2022 election.
Exit polls this week have also reportedly indicated a strong swing towards the ALP over the Coalition.
