Election 2022: Scott Morrison is hit by another horror poll as Labor pulls ahead

Labor has extended its lead over the Coalition but Scott Morrison remains Australia’s preferred prime minister, according to the latest Newspoll.

The Australian reported Labor now holds 39 per cent of the vote, compared to the Liberal and Nationals’ 35 per cent – the largest lead Anthony Albanese’s party has held during the current federal election campaign.

The Labor leader however still trails Mr Morrison in the PM vote 44-42, however Mr Albanese has climbed three points in the past week while the Liberals leader has fallen a point.

Labor holds a 54-46 lead over the Coalition in the two-party preferred vote, climbing for the first time since early April.

Skyrocketing cost of living prices have seen Labor tighten its grip on the election, with the opposition earning the confidence ahead of Mr Morrison’s government that has seen interest rates rise for the first time in 11 years.

Newspoll saw 44 per cent of voters put their confidence in Mr Albanese to better plan for rising costs, ahead of 41 per cent for Mr Morrison.

Male voters saw an even 44 per cent split between Labor and the Coalition.

Newspoll saw 44 per cent of voters put their confidence in Mr Albanese to better plan for rising costs, ahead of 41 per cent for Mr Morrison

Female voters were split, with 57 per cent 18-34-year-olds overwhelming voting for Labor while 59 per cent of those over 65 voting for the Liberals.

Mr Morrison holds the slimmest margin of the preferred PM vote since the start of April, now just two points after the lead blew out to as much as nine.

Net satisfaction for Anthony Albanese is beginning to climb as Mr Morrison’s falls, with all signs pointing to a Labor victory on May 21.

The second leaders’ debate descended into chaos with Mr Morrison and Mr Albanese shouting at each other and ignoring 60 Minutes host Sarah Abo – before the Prime Minister was declared the winner.

The second leaders’ debate descended into chaos with Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese shouting at each other and ignoring 60 Minutes host Sarah Abo

The pair had several fiery clashes at Channel Nine’s north Sydney studio with the biggest blow-up coming on the topic of national security when the two men continuously yelled at each other. 

In a key moment, the Prime Minister was humbled when he admitted that he should have described the Covid-19 vaccine rollout as a race after he repeatedly told Australians ‘it’s not a race’ at the start of 2021. 

But he landed a blow on Mr Albanese when told the Labor leader ‘you have changed your mind on so many things’ and listed his policy backflips over the past three years. 

‘Small target, big risk,’ he said while gesticulating at his opponent. 

Pictured: The leaders remove their ear-pieces at the end of the bruising debate

As the debate raged a Newspoll showed Labor has extended its lead over the Coalition, leading by 54 points to 46 on a two party preferred basis.

If that result is replicated on May 21, Mr Albanese will form a majority government. 

Some 50,000 Nine viewers voted for who they prefer as Prime Minister. Mr Albanese won with 49 per cent of votes, with Mr Morrison on 45 per cent and six per cent undecided – although the sample was not representative of the population. 

However, 52 per cent of viewers thought Mr Morrison won the debate, with 48 per cent voting for Mr Albanese.