A new poll suggests Labor could be pushed into minority government at the next election, as voter support declines in key areas.
The latest Australian Financial Review/Freshwater Strategy poll shows the Coalition leading Labor on a two-party preferred basis by 51-49.
It’s the second consecutive month the opposition has been in front.
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The poll found 59 per cent of respondents thought the country was heading in the wrong direction, compared to 28 per cent who disagreed.
Defence and national security are two areas where voters increasingly disapprove of the government’s management.
The Coalition increased its lead in those areas by six per cent and four per cent, respectively.
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However, Labor improved its standing with voters on cost of living, which was far and away cited as the most important issue to voters.
The Coalition still has a commanding lead of 35 per cent to 28 per cent approval on the issue, but that is a five per cent improvement for Labor on the previous month.
Similarly, the Coalition leads Labor by 39 per cent to 26 per cent on economic management, but that gap shrank by three per cent in the past month.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese continues to lead Liberal leader Peter Dutton as preferred prime minister, by 45 per cent to 41 per cent, though that gap is also shrinking.
On the current poll numbers, Labor would be pushed in to minority government if an election were held today.
The next federal ballot must be held by May next year.
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