Shocking Newspoll reflects “messy” fortnight, says Pyne
A senior Turnbull government figure blames a “messy” fortnight dominated by the dual-citizenship saga for the Coalition’s poor standing with voters and a sharp fall in their rating of the prime minister.
Labor increased its lead – 55-45 per cent – over the Coalition in the latest Newspoll, published today.
Voters cut Malcolm Turnbull’s standing as preferred prime minister from 41 per cent to a new low of 36 per cent, narrowing his lead over Bill Shorten to just two points.
The worst Newspoll result for the Coalition since February did not surprise cabinet minister Christopher Pyne.
“There’s no doubt the last fortnight has been messy from the government’s point of view because of this issue around dual citizenship” he told ABC radio.
“Obviously the media has been full of this issue and that would have affected people’s thinking about the government.”
Pyne noted an election was not due until July 2019.
“Polls come and go and people should remain unfazed by them.”
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The Newspoll, if repeated at an election, indicates a 20 seat loss for the Coalition.
Labor is in its strongest overall position since Turnbull replaced Tony Abbott as prime minister in September 2015.
The Labor primary vote rose from 37 to 38 per cent at the same time Shorten gained ground on key leadership measures.
– AAP
