Anthony Albanese is slowly regaining favour with voters as his party is increasingly seen as the best to address three of the country's most pressing issues. A recent Redbridge Group/Accent Research poll for the Australian Financial Review reveals that the Prime Minister's net approval has improved after a sharp decline following the Bondi terrorist attack on December 14.
Albanese's net approval now stands at minus nine, an eight-point increase from a month ago. However, he still trails One Nation leader Pauline Hanson (minus one) and Coalition Opposition Leader Angus Taylor (minus two). Despite this, he remains the most preferred Prime Minister, with support steady at 33 per cent, well ahead of Hanson (23 per cent) and Taylor (14 per cent).
The poll indicates that voters consider Labor the best party to handle three key issues: cost-of-living, housing affordability, and health care. However, the Coalition leads on economic management, while One Nation is perceived as the best party to address immigration rates.
Labor's primary vote dipped one point to 31 per cent, still below the 34.6 per cent it received when re-elected 12 months ago. Support for Hanson's One Nation has plateaued at 27 per cent primary support, down two points from a month ago. The Coalition saw its primary vote rise five points to 22 per cent.
On a two-party preferred basis, Labor leads the Coalition 53 per cent to 47 per cent, a slimmer margin than its 55-45 election day win. Labor also leads One Nation by 55 per cent to 45 per cent on preferences.
Redbridge pollster Tony Barry commented: 'Labor is losing some vote share in recent tracking polling but is being held up by more positive voter assessments of the prime minister's performance.'
One Nation is tipped to win this weekend's by-election in Farrer, vacated by former Opposition Leader Sussan Ley. Labor will present its latest federal budget on May 12.
Albanese remains hopeful of becoming the first Australian Prime Minister in over six decades to voluntarily leave the role. He intends to step down when he 'stops growing as a person,' adding: 'Then I'll know it is time to watch the footy every Saturday rather than do this job.' He emphasised the privilege and stability his government has provided but acknowledged that his future depends on the Australian public.
