Newspoll reveals fresh blow for Anthony Albanese as voters list their biggest cost of living fears

Voters have voiced their biggest cost-of-living concerns amid as support for Anthony Albanese and the Labor government slumps to its lowest level since the 2022 election.

The latest Newspoll for the The Australian revealed that housing, including rent and interest rates, was by far the biggest worry for Australian voters.

As a federal election looms, the result is likely bad news for Mr Albanese as his election promise to build thousands of affordable homes has only just taken its first step.

Less than a fortnight ago, the Labor government finally gave the green light to build 13,700 social and affordable homes in the first round of grants under its Housing Australia Future Fund.

The fund was part of Albanese’s promise to help first-time homeowners get on the property ladder and aimed to build 40,000 in five years.

With 40 per cent of voters listing housing policies as a key decider for next year’s federal election and Labor’s seemingly slow pace, support for the party has reached its equal lowest levels since the 2022 election.

Newspoll data showed primary support for Labor had fallen to just 31 per cent for the first time since the failed Voice referendum last year.

The Coalition’s primary vote remained steady at 38 per cent. 

With 40 per cent of voters selecting housing (auction pictured) as a key decider for next year’s federal election and Labor’s seemingly slow pace, support for the party have reached its equal lowest levels since the 2022 election

Of the voters surveyed by Newspoll, 40 per cent were most concerned with housing, 25 per cent with grocery costs, 18 per cent with energy bills and 11 per cent with insurance. 

Transport costs, including fuel, was considered the least important issue. 

The only demographic that didn’t consider housing the most pressing issue was the over-65s, who were more concerned about energy and grocery prices.

Of those aged between 18 and 34, 59 per cent considered housing the most important issue and 27 per cent said groceries.

Housing was also the most pressing concern for 52 per cent of voters in the 35-49 and 32 per cent of those aged 50-64. 

Favour for the two major parties was split 50-50 but support for the two leaders lagged once the survey was opened to smaller parties and independents.

The Greens received 13 per cent of voters’ support, independents received 12 per cent and Pauline Hanson’s One Nation sat at six per cent.  

Despite Labor’s declining support, Mr Albanese’s satisfaction rating improved two points to 43 per cent while his dissatisfaction rating fell three points to 51 per cent – giving him a net satisfaction rating of -8 per cent.

Liberal leader Peter Dutton (pictured) suffered a two-point fall in satisfaction to 37 per cent but his dissatisfaction rating remained unchanged at 52 per cent – giving him a net satisfaction of -15 per cent

Forty per cent of voters surveyed by Newspoll were most concerned with housing

Coalition leader Peter Dutton suffered a two-point fall in satisfaction to 37 per cent but his dissatisfaction rating remained unchanged at 52 per cent – giving him a net satisfaction of -15 per cent.

The rating was Mr Dutton’s worst result since June. 

When asked who would be a better prime minister, 46 per cent said Mr Albanese and 37 per cent said Mr Dutton.