Guardian Essential poll: One Nation and Labor’s primary vote on par as discontent with Albanese rises
News Source
•Tue, 27 Oct 2026 14:00:32 GMT
📰 What Happened
A new Guardian Essential poll shows One Nation and Labor level on 28% of the primary vote. The Coalition is on 23%. The survey of 1,087 Australians was taken last week. Both conservative parties gained ground since last month, when One Nation was on 25% and the Coalition on 22%.
Anthony Albanese's disapproval rating has risen to 56%, the equal highest since he became prime minister in 2022. More people than ever say the country is heading in the wrong direction. Even so, Labor is still the most trusted party to run the country and to manage the economy.
🔍 The Backstory
Essential has tracked Australian voting trends for years. Its executive director, Peter Lewis, called the result sobering for Labor but not a strong sign for One Nation either. Voters seem unhappy with the government without being convinced the alternatives would do better.
On who is trusted to manage the country generally, Labor sits on 31%, One Nation on 25% and the Coalition on 23%. The poll comes as cost-of-living pressure and political unrest in other countries weigh on voters here.
🎯 Why It Matters
Polls shape how parties campaign and which laws they push. A rising One Nation vote can pull both major parties toward harder policies on immigration and living costs.
A new Guardian Essential poll shows One Nation and Labor level on 28% of the primary vote. The Coalition is on 23%. The survey of 1,087 Australians was taken last week. Both conservative parties gained ground since last month, when One Nation was on 25% and the Coalition on 22%.
Anthony Albanese's disapproval rating has risen to 56%, the equal highest since he became prime minister in 2022. More people than ever say the country is heading in the wrong direction. Even so, Labor is still the most trusted party to run the country and to manage the economy.
Essential has tracked Australian voting trends for years. Its executive director, Peter Lewis, called the result sobering for Labor but not a strong sign for One Nation either. Voters seem unhappy with the government without being convinced the alternatives would do better.
On who is trusted to manage the country generally, Labor sits on 31%, One Nation on 25% and the Coalition on 23%. The poll comes as cost-of-living pressure and political unrest in other countries weigh on voters here.
Polls shape how parties campaign and which laws they push. A rising One Nation vote can pull both major parties toward harder policies on immigration and living costs.