One Nation Overtakes Labor in New Polls as Albanese's Approval Dips

Pauline Hanson's One Nation party has gained ground in the latest polling, moving ahead of the Labor party in primary vote share, according to data released Sunday. The RedBridge Group and Accent Research poll for the Australian Financial Review shows One Nation with 29 percent of the primary vote, compared to Labor's 28 percent. This marks the sixth change in poll leadership in as many months.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's net favorability rating has fallen to -27 percent, a 10-point decrease over the past month and the lowest recorded during his prime ministership. This figure matches the rating of former Opposition Leader Peter Dutton prior to the 2025 federal election.

Despite the drop in favorability, Albanese remains the preferred Prime Minister, though by a narrower margin. His support stands at 31 percent, while Hanson's rating increased to 26 percent. Opposition Leader Angus Taylor's rating remained at 15 percent. The Greens saw a one-point decline to 11 percent following a recent change in leadership.

When respondents were asked to direct their preference on a two-party basis, Labor maintained a lead over One Nation at 52 percent to 48 percent, unchanged from September.

RedBridge director Tony Barry noted that the broader data suggests significant challenges for Albanese and his government. "Labor's vote share is back to its lowest recorded level," Barry told the AFR. "The current political challenge for Labor is that the cash register never lies and voters will rarely reward a government when they are feeling poorer."

The poll also indicated a decline in voter sentiment toward Treasurer Jim Chalmers, whose net favorability rating fell nine points in a month to a record low of -23 percent. Angus Taylor's net rating decreased by three points to -6 percent, while Hanson's improved by two points to -10 percent.

Cabinet Secretary Andrew Charlton defended Chalmers, stating he was performing "an extraordinary job in very difficult global circumstances" and would not be replaced in a reshuffle.

Economic management emerged as a key concern for voters, increasing from 14 percent to 21 percent in one month. When asked which party would be most trusted to manage the economy, Labor received 20 percent of the vote, the Coalition 29 percent, and One Nation 16 percent.

Financial issues dominated voter concerns, with the cost of living cited by 73 percent of respondents. Other key concerns included healthcare (36 percent), housing affordability (33 percent), the rate of immigration (29 percent), and crime and public safety (24 percent). Government debt was a concern for 14 percent, followed by climate change (13 percent), national security (11 percent), and tax reform (9 percent).

On all surveyed issues, including cost of living, healthcare, housing, immigration, and crime, the more conservative parties, One Nation and the Coalition, led Labor and the Greens.