The recent polls show that the Labor Party has increased its primary vote from 39% to 42%, while the Coalition has dropped from 30% to 28%. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has attributed this slip in the polls to a perception of disunity within the Liberal Party, following the resignation of shadow frontbencher Karen Andrews. Dutton’s personal approval ratings have also hit a record low of -28%, down from -11% a month ago. The Resolve Political Monitor surveyed 1609 eligible voters from Wednesday to Sunday.
The Liberal Party has been dealing with inner ructions on the debate around the Voice to parliament, with former shadow attorney-general Julian Leeser returning to the backbench over his personal position on the Voice, though he has remained committed to the Liberal Party as an MP. Former Coalition Indigenous Affairs Minister Ken Wyatt quit the Liberal Party entirely over the same issue. Karen Andrews resigned from the opposition frontbench and will not contest the next election, but she stated that her decision was not related to the Voice.
Dutton said that voters do not reward perceived party disunity and that the Coalition faced a “big rebuild”. However, he maintained that the party remained united and that he was committed to opposing the “elitist model” of the Voice. Dutton also highlighted that families are currently facing cost-of-living pressures and that Labor is responsible for making decisions that make it harder for families. He defended the opposition’s focus on the Voice as important for the country’s long-term future but said they were also focused on the ongoing pressures faced by Australians now.
Source: 9news.com.au
