Coalition drifts on substantive policy issues as latest poll delivers worst result in recent history

Sky News AU

a day ago

The Coalition has suffered its lowest level of voter support in recent history as internal disunity and a lack of clear direction on key policy issues have taken their toll.
Before parliament has even returned for its first sitting week, the Coalition's primary vote has fallen to 29 per cent — its lowest level recorded by Newspoll in four decades.
In contrast, the final pre-election poll conducted in May 2025 had the Coalition's support at 34 per cent, suggesting a five-point slide in just under three months.
The dramatic slide has exposed the challenge facing Opposition Leader Sussan Ley, who has yet to secure a coherent platform or clear public backing.
The Coalition has not confirmed where it stands on net zero or gender quotas, and has walked away from its nuclear promise and pledge to cut international student numbers.
Despite embarking on a national 'listening' tour since taking over the leadership, Ms Ley received just 35 per cent approval, but 42 per cent disapproval.
She trails Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as preferred prime minister 52-32, even though he has a disapproval rating of 47 per cent and net approval of zero per cent.
Nearly a quarter of voters remain undecided about Ms Ley, underlining her limited impact as the party has still failed to achieve any substantive policy positions.
The Coalition has not settled its position on several high-profile issues — including net zero emissions, gender quotas, or any substantive economic or social policies.
Liberal senator Jane Hume acknowledged the gravity of the polling slump but sought to downplay its significance on Monday.
'This is a poll that I think that starts every parliamentary term. It's actually not that unusual for a new opposition to be well behind in the polls,' she told Sky News.
Others within the Coalition took a harder line as Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce described the poll result as 'brutal'.
'I think the Coalition's role… is you have to find issues which are binary, which you are fully for, and the Labor Party is fully against,' Mr Joyce said on Channel 7's Sunrise.
'That's why issues such as net-zero, I say: find a point of division. You don't believe in net zero, they do believe in net zero.'
However, Nationals leader David Littleproud said the party had not come to a position, and was still reviewing its commitment to net zero.
'We've undertaken a review… After the election, I made it very clear that we will start an internal process… and that work has commenced,' Mr Littleproud said.
The issue has divided the joint partyroom, with high-profile figures, including Liberal senator Alex Antic and Nationals senator Matt Canavan, pushing to abandon net zero.
Meanwhile, Liberal senator Jane Hume and Liberal MP Zoe McKenzie have argued in favour of the climate target.
Labor figures have been quick to capitalise on the disarray, with Mr Albanese saying the opposition has 'some issues they need to sort out'.
'I think they should sort themselves out before they start going back to where they've been for the last three years, frankly,' Mr Albanese said on Thursday.
'Never having anything positive to contribute, always being critical, seeking to look for distinction, when what they should be doing is just supporting Australia's national interest.'
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek argued that voters were tired of the kind of 'fighting politics' advocated for by Mr Joyce.
'I'm a bit alarmed that Barnaby thinks that the lesson from the last election was that they weren't negative and combative enough,' she said on Monday.
Meanwhile, shadow treasurer Ted O'Brien attempted to rally behind the Tasmanian election, where the Liberals have been projected to form minority government.
He argued the result proved the Liberal Party 'is not on its knees' and described the outcome as a 'message of inspiration'.
'We know that we're in the opposition party room, but we also know that we are an incredibly strong and talented team,' Ms Ley told the joint party room on Monday.
'Our job is to represent the millions of Australians who voted for us, but also the millions who maybe didn't, but still expect us to be the strongest, best opposition that we can.
'If the Prime Minister and his team bring forward constructive policies that are in the national interest, then we'll support them, and we'll work with them.
'But if they don't do that, if they bring forward legislation that is not in the national interest and it is not in the interests of Australians then we will fight them.'