Newspoll result: Why Labour and Coalition support has fallen as leadership margin as preferred PM comes closest since election

Support for both Labor and the Coalition has waned as Aussies are divided over energy and climate change policies, including proposals for nuclear power stations.

The primary vote for the major parties has taken a hit in recent weeks, with the Coalition falling three points to 36 percent, while support for Labor fell after falling one point to 32 percent, according to the latest Newspoll conducted for The Australian.

The two leaders, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, have also achieved a high level of voter discontent.

This has increased support for the Greens and independents, which could indicate that the political landscape will be similar again next year when voters go to the polls again.

Mr Albanese recorded his second-highest level of dissatisfaction since he was elected, at 53 per cent – ​​a rise of three per cent.

The prime minister’s approval rating fell one point to 42 percent.

Mr Dutton’s approval rating also fell by one point to 38 per cent, but saw his dissatisfaction rating rise above Mr Albanese to 54 per cent – ​​a five-point increase.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton (pictured) has divided voters over his plans for nuclear energy

Anthony Albanese (pictured with partner Jodie Haydon at a dinner he hosted for Australian Olympians on Saturday night) has been accused of undermining the safety of nuclear power plants

When voters were asked to indicate who would be the better prime minister, an eight percent margin separates the two leaders with the closest result since the 2022 election.

Mr Albanese remains ahead as elected leader with 46 per cent, unchanged while Mr Dutton’s vote rose to 38 per cent.

On the basis of two-party preference, Labor has strengthened its position and now leads the Coalition 51-49.

During the last Newspoll held three weeks ago, the major parties were tied at 50 points.

The Greens enjoy their highest support since the 2022 election after their vote rose by two points to 13 percent.

The poll also showed that Dutton’s nuclear plan from seven regional sites across the country, which would retire coal-fired power stations, was approved by 42 percent of voters.

But disapproval of the plan stood at 45 percent, while 13 percent had not yet made up their minds.

Peter Dutton’s proposal for a nuclear power plant was again a hot topic in the latest poll

On the topic of nuclear energy, more men and older people supported Dutton’s plan, while women and young people were mainly against it and middle-aged people were divided.

The nuclear debate has led to a battle between the parties, with the Albanian government accused of campaigning to scare Australians about the safety of nuclear power plants, even though the government plans to build nuclear submarines.

The fall in support for the coalition shows that the nuclear plan could cost them potential votes.

But the declining support also suggests that the disappointing inflation figures have had consequences for the government as well.

The survey of 1,260 voters across Australia was conducted between June 24 and June 28.