- L-NP 50% cf. ALP 50% as per Roy Morgan poll
- Government Confidence falls 7pts to 99 – lowest since Turnbull became PM.
In mid-April L-NP support is 50% (down 2.5%) cf. ALP 50% (up 2.5%) on a two-party preferred basis following debate about the reintroduction of the ABCC (Australian Building & Construction Commission) and Labor calls for a Royal Commission into the Banking and Finance industries.
If a Federal Election were held now the result would be too close to call and would likely result in a hung Parliament.
Gary Morgan, Executive Chairman Roy Morgan Research said, “Despite Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull receiving good publicity surrounding last week’s visit to China today’s Morgan Poll shows the L-NP 50% (down 2.5%) dead-locked with the ALP 50% (up 2.5%) on a two-party preferred basis after Opposition Leader Bill Shorten called for a Royal Commission into the Banking & Finance inGary Morgan, Executive Chairman Roy Morgan Research said, dustry – an idea which found widespread public support.
“Shorten’s ‘bashing’ of the banks will always find favour when the media highlights in detail the misdemeanours committed within the banking and finance industry although the latest Roy Morgan banking satisfaction survey found 82.5% of Australians are personally satisfied in their dealings with Australian banks.
“Additionally, Australia’s banks easily performed to everyone’s satisfaction during the recent Global Financial Crisis (2008-09) when banks in several other comparable countries were found to be insolvent”.
Primary support for the L-NP is 40.5% (down 1.5%) with ALP at 32% (up 1%).
Support for the Greens is up 1% to 14%, Nick Xenophon Team (NXT) 4.5% (unchanged; 22.5% in South Australia), Katter’s Australian Party is 0.5% (unchanged), Palmer United Party is 0% (unchanged) and Independents/ Others are at 8.5% (down 0.5%).
Roy Morgan Government Confidence Rating
The Roy Morgan Government Confidence Rating is down this week – down 7pts to 99 with 40.5% (down 2%) of Australians saying Australia is ‘heading in the right direction’ and 41.5% (up 5%) saying Australia is ‘heading in the wrong direction’.
This is the first time the Government Confidence Rating has dipped below 100 since Malcolm Turnbull became Prime Minister in mid-September 2015.
This week’s Morgan Poll on Federal voting intention was conducted over the last two weekends, April 9/10 & 16/17, 2016, with an Australia-wide cross-section of 3,083 Australian electors.
Analysis by Gender
Analysis by Gender shows men favouring the L-NP easily while women are now easily favouring the ALP. Men: L-NP 53% (down 3%) cf. ALP 47% (up 3%); Women: ALP 53% (up 2%) cf. L-NP 47% (down 2%).
Analysis by Age group
Analysis by Age group shows that Turnbull’s biggest problem remains convincing younger voters to support the L-NP. The ALP leads with electors under 50: 18-24yr olds (ALP 60% cf. L-NP 40%) and also leads amongst 25-34yr olds (ALP 59.5% cf. L-NP 40.5%) and 35-49yr olds (ALP 52.5% cf. L-NP 47.5%). However, the L-NP leads with the older age groups: 50-64yr olds (L-NP 53% cf. ALP 47%) and easily amongst those aged 65+ (L-NP 61% cf. ALP 39%).
Analysis by States
Despite the deadlock Federally, the L-NP holds a two-party preferred lead in five Australian States with only Victoria favouring the ALP. The L-NP leads in New South Wales: L-NP 54.5% cf. ALP 45.5%, Western Australia: L-NP 54.5% cf. ALP 45.5%, Tasmania: L-NP 54.5% cf. ALP 45.5%, Queensland: LNP 51% cf. ALP 49%, South Australia: L-NP 50.5% cf. ALP 49.5% and the ALP leads in Victoria: ALP 57% cf. L-NP 43%. The ALP leads comfortably in both the ACT and Northern Territory (with low sample sizes).
If this scenario was to replicate itself at the Federal Election, we will find ourselves with a hung Parliament again – second time after Julia Gillard narrowly retained Government in 2010 with only 72 seats.
“This week’s special recall of Parliament to debate the reinstatement of the ABCC – Australian Building and Construction Commission – will determine whether Australia faces a Double Dissolution Federal Election on Saturday July 2 if the Government’s ABCC Bill is rejected in the Senate, and also whether Turnbull has regained the initiative he has clearly lost in recent weeks as the Government has chopped and changed on policy.
“The Senate cross-benchers are insisting on a National “ICAC” (Independent Commission Against Corruption) being setup to deal with corruption across all sectors of the economy and the Turnbull Government has thus far refused to negotiate”, Morgan said.
In addition to the broad loss of support in recent weeks a worrying sign for the Turnbull Government is this week’s plunge of the Roy Morgan Government Confidence Rating to 99 (down 7pts) – the first time this indicator has been in negative territory under 100 since Turnbull became Prime Minister in mid-September 2015.
“The next three weeks leading into the Federal Budget will play an important role in determining whether the Turnbull Government can show leadership and live up to its image as the better economic managers.
“Malcolm Turnbull needs to convince Australian electors on ‘why’ the construction industry needs to be subjected to additional regulation and the ABCC legislation must be passed; and why the banks are already sufficiently controlled by Government regulation (APRA, ASIC and the RBA).
“If not the ALP will continue to undermine the Government’s narrative and present itself as a credible Government in waiting”, Morgan said.
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