Turnbull slips as preferred PM: Newspoll

Malcolm Turnbull enters a new parliamentary fortnight with his government slipping in the Newspoll for the 21st time in a row.

It’s set to be a critical week for the prime minister as a protracted debate over energy policy comes to a head while the citizenship fiasco could yet see him lose his deputy.

The latest Newspoll, published in The Australia, will put Mr Turnbull under more pressure inside the federal Liberal Party.
He cited Tony Abbott’s loss in 30 consecutive Newspolls as the reason for rolling him as prime minister two years ago.

Labor leads the coalition 54 per cent to 46 on a two-party preferred basis despite major government decisions in the past three weeks on private health insurance, domestic gas supply and funding for critical medications.

Mr Turnbull’s standing as preferred prime minister has also dipped one percentage point to 41 per cent while Opposition Leader Bill Shorten moved up two points to 33 per cent.

The primary vote figures shows Labor dropping a percentage point drop to 37 per cent, while the coalition has firm at 36 per cent – six points below its result at last year’s election.

Cabinet minister Darren Chester rejected suggestions the government was in a “death spiral”.

“I think it’s a ridiculous proposition,” he told ABC TV.

Unlike oppositions, the government has to make tough decisions.

“It’s a great privilege to be in government,” he said.

“But also within the culture of politics right now, I think the Australian people are quite happy to give their members of parliament a clip behind the ears to make sure we stay on our toes.”

The minor parties continue to gain ground. The Greens are up one percentage point to 10 per cent, helping Labor to keep its lead on the coalition after preferences are distributed.
Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party has increased its support from 8 to 9 per cent in the same period.