CANBERRA, Feb 1 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Australia’s opposition has drawn level with the government, ahead of a likely election later in 2021, expected by local media, an opinion poll found.
According to the latest Newspoll, which was published by The Australian today, the governing coalition and opposition Labour Party are deadlocked at 50-50, on a two-party preferred basis.
It is a significant result for Labour, which last led the coalition on a two-party basis in early 2020, and for Labour Party leader, Anthony Albanese, who faced pressure on his leadership and criticism from prominent party members in 2021.
The poll found that Prime Minister, Scott Morrison’s net approval rating fell from positive 36 percent in Nov, to positive 30 percent, as voters expressed frustration with ongoing domestic border closures.
However, Morrison maintained a strong lead over Albanese, as voters’ preferred the PM, with 57 percent of Newspoll respondents choosing the incumbent, compared to 29 percent for the alternative.
It was the first Newspoll taken in 2021, with parliament set to resume tomorrow and comes after new virus outbreaks in Dec, that disrupted the Christmas period and debates over energy policy and Australia Day.
It was taken as Labour ramps-up its preparations for the next federal election, which local media said could be held later this year.
Earlier in Jan, Albanese, who became leader of the Labour Party, after the 2019 election defeat, announced a reshuffle of his frontbench, told party members of his plan, to target 18 seats and flagged major policy announcements.
He told The Sunday Age that he was ready for an election and his slogan would be “on your side.”
“It’s not up to me to determine when, it’s out of my hands, but we will be ready. I’m ready to fight it whenever it is called,” he said.
“If Scott Morrison doesn’t go full term, it’s because he doesn’t have confidence in his own capacity to govern for three years.”– NNN-AGENCIES
