New poll reveals Mexican standoff
ANTHONY Albanese has downplayed his chances of becoming the next prime minister despite a new poll putting him on equal footing with Scott Morrison.
According to the latest Newspoll, the Opposition Leader is now tied 42-42 with Mr Morrison as preferred prime minister.
It’s the first time since February 2020 that Mr Morrison hasn’t been in front.
But the Labor leader said he still had a “mountain to climb” to win power.
“We've only (won from opposition) three times since the Second World War, three times in my lifetime,” he said in Townsville on Monday.
“If anyone takes a lesson from the last 2019 campaign, it’s that you shouldn’t worry about polls before the election.
“The only poll that I'm concerned about is the one that is there on election day.”
The latest survey was conducted over weeks plagued by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the NSW and Queensland floods; Mr Morrison has been criticised about the federal response to the flooding.
Mr Morrison will need to sway undecided voters if he is to remain in power.
One in seven respondents to the latest Newspoll said they had not yet made up their mind about Mr Albanese.
It’s expected the federal election will be called soon after the budget is handed down on March 29.
Asked on Monday when he would fire the starting gun, Mr Morrison remained tightlipped.
“An election is due this year, it’s due in the middle of May,” he said.
Labor continues to lead the Coalition 41-35 on the primary vote.
Mr Albanese’s party also maintained its lead over the government 55-45 on a two party preferred basis.
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce on Monday conceded it was going to be a “tough election”.
“These are precarious times, there is no doubt about it. We have to become as strong as possible as quickly as possible,” Mr Joyce told Channel 7.
“The Australian people have to make a choice of who is more likely to make a nation as strong as possible as quickly as possible, but whatever choice the voters make is the right one.”
There has been movement on primary vote for the minor parties, with the Greens falling back a point to 8 per cent, while One Nation remains on 3 per cent.
Other parties, including independents, have risen to 10 points.
Mr Morrison’s satisfaction rating has dropped two points to 41 per cent, while 55 per cent of respondents are dissatisfied with the way the Prime Minister is doing his job.
Mr Albanese’s satisfaction rating remains at 44 per cent, while dissatisfaction with his performance as opposition leader dropped one point to 42 per cent.