Support has grown for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as voters back some of Labor’s election promises that have been announced so far, according to a new survey.
A poll conducted by Redbridge Group has revealed Labor sits on 52 per cent in the two-party preferred vote over the Coalition, up one point on the previous month.
The boost has come from voters and how they perceive the government’s policies that have been unveiled in the first week of fierce campaigning around the country.
Mr Albanese has announced a promise of a $5-a-week tax cut from July next year, cheaper medicines on the PBS to $25, power bill rebates of $150 for households and businesses, cutting student debt by 20 per cent and $8.5 billion Medicare funding.
The Redbridge survey, conducted for The Daily Telegraph, showed 39 per cent supported the PM’s tax cut, while Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s promise of cheaper fuel by halving the excise for one year was seen slightly better at 40 per cent.
The Labor policy most liked by the 1,006 people polled was the $150 rebate at +65 per cent favourability, despite the government’s failure to bring down energy bills by $275.
Mr Dutton’s migration policy, vowing to reduce permanent annual migrant intake down to 140,000 was next on the list with net favourability of +47 per cent.
It was followed by the Opposition Leader’s gas plan, which he claimed would have cut energy prices by 15 per cent, at +39 and breaking up big supermarkets at +36 per cent.
Mr Albanese’s draught beer excise freeze for two years, saving less than a cent on a mid-strength pint and touted as a win for brewers and hospitality was next at +34.
But in terms of the most disliked policies, Mr Dutton’s promise to fire 41,000 federal public servants did not poll well, recording a net favourability of +5 per cent.
Ending work from home arrangements for the same group also rated poorly at -5 per cent overall, with women voters most put off by the push at -19 per cent.
Labor had accused the Coalition of being anti-women after Mr Dutton pledged to return public servants back into the office five days a week, if he wins the election.
Shadow finance spokesperson Jane Hume had claimed working remotely cannot continue into the future and that it was unproductive.
The Opposition Leader later appeared to tweak the policy, saying he would like to see public servants return “to pre Covid levels” of just over 20 per cent at home.
Mr Dutton claimed on the election campaign in Darwin on Saturday the government was trying to “scare” voters when asked about reconsidering the policy.
“I strongly support work from home. I’ve been very clear about that. And our policy doesn’t have any impact on the private sector, doesn’t have any impact on the public sector outside of Canberra,” he said after a Port of Darwin announcement.
“We want to make sure where taxpayers are working hard for their money, that we want the most efficiency in the public service in Canberra.
“The Prime Minister is out there lying to Australian women, telling them somehow this work from home policy which for our policy affects people who are working for the public service Canberra-based. The Prime Minister’s been caught out telling fibs a few times now.”
Pressed further by a second journalist that women with children also work in the public service in Canberra, Mr Dutton stressed he is “very happy for flexibility” but claimed working from home rates had jumped to 60 per cent, up from 22 per cent.
“We have to make sure that where we have taxpayers’ money being expended on wages for public servants in Canberra that we’re getting the most efficiency for taxpayers out of that investment and I don’t think that’s controversial,” he said.
“I’ve said very clearly that where you’ve got existing arrangements, which happens in Canberra now in the public service, you have EBAs (Enterprise Bargaining Agreement) that are there that allow for work from home arrangements, we are not proposing to change those. There is still flexibility in the workplace, in Canberra, in the public service.”
Redbridge director Kos Samaras told The Daily Telegraph that Labor had lost the women vote during its three-year term, but Mr Dutton did not capitalise.
“Dutton had a small window to win them over, as many were in the departure lounge, looking for an alternative. Instead his recent policy announcements, like working from home, have scared them back to Labor,” he said.
In terms of the economy, 33 per cent of respondents believe Mr Albanese and Labor have the better economy for their families, while 31 per cent say it is better for Australia.
Mr Dutton had less support with 28 per cent and 29 per cent backing his visions. The remaining were spread to “both about the same”, “neither” or “not sure”.
Another survey released on Saturday showed Labor and the Coalition 50-50 in the two-party preferred, with Mr Albanese’s party surging four points in March alone.
The Resolve Strategic poll, conducted for Nine’s newspapers, also found Labor’s primary vote in the first three months has dipped to 30 per cent in New South Wales and 27 per cent in Victoria, compared to 33 per cent in 2022 when Mr Albanese claimed victory.
It could see key NSW seats swing to the Liberals, such as Bennelong (held by Labor on 1 per cent), Gilmore (2.6 per cent), Paterson (3.3 per cent) and Robertson (2.3 per cent).
While in Victoria the Labor electorates that could be in trouble centre around Melbourne, including Chisholm (6.4 per cent), Aston (which swung to Labor after the 2023 by-election triggered by Alan Tudge’s retirement) and McEwen (3.3 per cent).
The PM won on a nationwide primary vote of 32.6 per cent, with a 52.1 per cent two-party preferred, securing 77 seats and allowing Labor to form majority government.
