Albanese Approval Plummets in New Poll as Coalition Steadies Under Taylor
A significant new Newspoll has delivered a stark warning for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, revealing his personal popularity has taken a dramatic dive amid mounting economic and security frustrations. The survey, published on Sunday night in The Australian, indicates the Coalition has managed to arrest its recent slide following a change in leadership.
Polling Numbers Show a Shift in Political Fortunes
The poll shows Opposition Leader Angus Taylor is faring considerably better than his predecessor, Sussan Ley, whom he replaced in a party room spill on February 13. While One Nation remains strong with 27 per cent of the primary vote, ahead of the Coalition's 20 per cent and Labor's 32 per cent, it is Anthony Albanese's personal performance rating that has plunged to its lowest position since last year's federal election.
The Greens' primary vote has dipped slightly from 12 per cent to 11 per cent, while support for Independents and other minor parties held steady at 10 per cent. The most concerning figure for the Prime Minister is his net approval rating, which has crashed to -15. This is derived from 55 per cent of respondents expressing dissatisfaction with his performance, compared to just 40 per cent who are satisfied.
Preferred Prime Minister Lead Dramatically Shortens
Perhaps the most alarming finding for Labor strategists is the dramatic contraction in Albanese's lead as preferred Prime Minister since Angus Taylor assumed the Liberal leadership. The Newspoll shows 45 per cent of voters believe Albanese would make the better Prime Minister, compared to 37 per cent for Taylor.
This represents a significant narrowing from just last month, when the same question saw Albanese commanding 54 per cent support against Sussan Ley's 27 per cent. The data suggests Taylor has made substantial ground on the Prime Minister in a remarkably short two-week period since taking the helm.
Farrer By-Election Looms as First Major Test for Taylor
The political landscape is further complicated by the impending by-election in the regional New South Wales seat of Farrer, triggered by Sussan Ley's resignation on Friday. Ley, the Opposition's first female leader, served the electorate for 25 years and used her resignation statement to deliver a parting shot at her successor.
'It will be for commentators and historians to measure the period of my leadership,' she stated. 'I welcome the coalition's immediate re-adoption of many of these directions and policies in recent days and weeks.' She emphasised the crucial importance of the Liberals retaining Farrer, a seat the coalition has held since its creation in 1949.
The by-election is widely viewed within coalition ranks as the first major test of Angus Taylor's leadership. It is expected to be a hotly contested four-way battle, with the Liberals, Nationals, and One Nation all anticipated to field candidates, though none have been formally announced.
Independent Campaign Kicks Off in Farrer
Fellow independents David Pocock and Helen Haines have publicly endorsed Michelle Milthorpe, who launched her campaign on Friday despite a by-election date remaining unset. Milthorpe, who previously ran against Ley in the 2025 federal election and narrowed the margin to 6.2 per cent after preferences, declared, 'We are not a safe seat anymore and this is our time to make change.'
Her initial policy agenda includes advocating for a fit-for-purpose local hospital, supporting farmers, and calling for a Royal Commission into water management after years of alleged mismanagement.
Angus Taylor acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating that Ley had made a massive contribution and admitting, 'The Farrer by-election is going to be very, very tough.' The Newspoll surveyed 1,237 people between Monday and Thursday last week, providing a timely snapshot of a shifting political mood as a critical electoral test approaches.
