The latest Freshwater Strategy Federal Poll published exclusively for The Sunday Telegraph shows cynicism among Australian voters regarding the likelihood of the Federal government fulfilling its promises on their top priority, cost of living relief.
The poll of 1,007 eligible voters, aged 18 and above was conducted from January 10th to 11th.
Issue Agenda
A majority of voters (51%) believe Australia is heading in the wrong direction, while only three in ten (31%) think the country is heading in the right direction.
The rising cost of living (71%) dominates the issue agenda as the most important concern for voters right now, followed by housing and accommodation (41%), itself largely also a proxy issue for cost of living.
Other major issues include health and social care (30%) as well as managing the economy (30%).
Just 4% of Australian voters say that Indigenous Affairs is an important issue that the Federal government should be focusing on right now.
Most of those who selected the cost of living as a priority for the government want the government to respond on the price of groceries (26 of 74%) and cost of housing (23 of 74%), followed by power bills (11 of 74%).
For housing it is availability (13pts), prices (12pts) and rents (9pts).
Federal Government’s Cost of Living Response
A majority of voters (51%) think the government’s plan to achieve 82% renewables by 2030 will lead to higher power bills, while just 16% think it will lead to a lower power bills. One third (32%) say that they believe bills will remain about the same.
On a Republic Referendum
A majority of Australian voters (55%) think Australia should not hold a referendum on becoming an independent republic in the next few years. Just over one third (36%) think a referendum SHOULD be held.
More than one fifth of voters (21%) are undecided about how they would vote in a Republic referendum. After asking those undecided which way they are leaning, and removing those who could not say, support for a Republic leads on 52% of voters.
Leadership & Vote Intentions
Albanese has a 9pt lead as Preferred Prime Minister over Dutton.
More voters have an unfavourable view of Albanese (43%) than they do of Dutton (40%).
Labor’s Primary vote is almost 2pts down on the 2022 Federal election, while the Coalition is up approx. 3pts.
Election swings are never uniform, but if the If this result was replicated at a Federal election, uniform swing would result in the following seat count: ALP: 73 (-5), GRE: 4 (NC), Ind: 9 (-1), L&N: 63 (+6), KAP: 1 (NC), CA: 1 (NC).
Labor TPP is down approx. 2pts on the 2022 Federal election.
Read The Sunday Telegraph’s analysis of the poll results, here.
Methodology Note & Contact
Freshwater Strategy interviewed n=1,007 eligible voters in Australia, aged 18+ online, between 10-11 December. Margin of Error +/- 3.3%. Data are weighted to be representative Australian of voters.
For comment, additional analysis, or a more detailed breakdown of results from this poll, please get in touch.
