New Poll Shows Labor Neck-and-Neck With One Nation, Coalition Gains Ground

A new poll released by Newspoll for The Australian newspaper shows the Australian Labor Party in a statistical tie with One Nation, a concerning development for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The survey of 1,238 voters, conducted between Monday and Thursday of last week, also indicates that the Coalition is gaining traction.

Labor's primary vote has fallen three points to 30 percent, the lowest level recorded since Julia Gillard's government. Concurrently, One Nation's support has risen from 29 percent in June to 30 percent, matching Labor's primary vote. The Coalition's primary vote saw an increase from a historic low of 17 percent to 19 percent.

Despite the decline in Labor's primary vote, Prime Minister Albanese's personal net approval rating stands at -18 percent, an improvement from a June low of -24 percent. Coalition leader Angus Taylor's approval rating is lower, at -21 percent. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson achieved a neutral rating.

The gap between Albanese and Taylor as the preferred prime minister has narrowed to eight percentage points, with Albanese favored by 44 percent of voters compared to Taylor's 36 percent. Twenty percent remained uncommitted. When Hanson was included as a potential prime minister, Albanese led with 46 percent, followed by Hanson with 32 percent, and Taylor last with 22 percent.

These results for One Nation come after a period of criticism for the party. Hanson faced backlash for attending conservative forums in London and participating in a podcast with activist Tommy Robinson, during which she made comments about Australian immigrants and "white privilege." Prime Minister Albanese addressed Hanson's remarks while visiting the Tiwi Islands, stating that Australian representatives traveling overseas have a responsibility to promote the nation positively.

In the lead-up to the poll, Angus Taylor had been critical of both Labor and One Nation's economic policies, arguing that the current government's tenure has negatively impacted Australians financially and that One Nation's proposals could lead to national bankruptcy. The Greens' primary vote remained at 12 percent, with other minor parties and independents accounting for nine percent.