Guardian Essential poll: Angus Taylor's approval rating crashes and One Nation support plateaus
News Source
β’Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:00:09 GMT
π° What Happened
The latest Guardian Essential poll shows Opposition Leader Angus Taylor's approval rating has crashed, while One Nation's primary vote has plateaued at 25%, down one point from June. Labor's primary vote ticked up one point to 31%, while the Coalition dropped another point to 22%. However, the poll of 1,060 voters also found Australians are unhappy with the government's handling of inflation and the cost of living crisis.
Less than a third of Australians said they would be happy to have an AI data centre in their local area, sharing concerns about energy demands, water supply, and noise. All movements are within the poll's margin of error, but this is the second consecutive Essential poll where One Nation's vote has dropped since reaching 28% in May.
π The Backstory
The Guardian Essential Poll has been tracking Australian political sentiment for years, providing regular snapshots of voter intentions. Angus Taylor became Opposition Leader after the Coalition's 2022 election loss, and his approval ratings have been under pressure as the party struggles to find a clear message against the Albanese government.
One Nation, led by Pauline Hanson, experienced a surge in support earlier in 2026, reaching 28% in May amid growing populist sentiment. The subsequent plateau and slight decline suggest the party may have peaked, though it remains a significant force. The Coalition's continued decline to 22% highlights the ongoing fragmentation of the conservative vote.
π― Why It Matters
These poll numbers show no major party has a firm grip on voter loyalty. With cost of living pressures driving voters toward minor parties, the next election could be highly unpredictable.
The latest Guardian Essential poll shows Opposition Leader Angus Taylor's approval rating has crashed, while One Nation's primary vote has plateaued at 25%, down one point from June. Labor's primary vote ticked up one point to 31%, while the Coalition dropped another point to 22%. However, the poll of 1,060 voters also found Australians are unhappy with the government's handling of inflation and the cost of living crisis.
Less than a third of Australians said they would be happy to have an AI data centre in their local area, sharing concerns about energy demands, water supply, and noise. All movements are within the poll's margin of error, but this is the second consecutive Essential poll where One Nation's vote has dropped since reaching 28% in May.
The Guardian Essential Poll has been tracking Australian political sentiment for years, providing regular snapshots of voter intentions. Angus Taylor became Opposition Leader after the Coalition's 2022 election loss, and his approval ratings have been under pressure as the party struggles to find a clear message against the Albanese government.
One Nation, led by Pauline Hanson, experienced a surge in support earlier in 2026, reaching 28% in May amid growing populist sentiment. The subsequent plateau and slight decline suggest the party may have peaked, though it remains a significant force. The Coalition's continued decline to 22% highlights the ongoing fragmentation of the conservative vote.
These poll numbers show no major party has a firm grip on voter loyalty. With cost of living pressures driving voters toward minor parties, the next election could be highly unpredictable.