The coalition is consolidating its popularity with voters, but political pundits believe Labor is still in a prime position to form government at the next federal election. The latest Newspoll, released on Monday, showed the coalition leading 51 per cent to 49 per cent, on a two-party preferred basis, the same result as the previous poll. The survey found the coalition also increased its primary vote by two points to 40 per cent, while Labor boosted its vote from 31 to 33 per cent.
Monash University politics lecturer Zareh Ghazarian said while the coalition was ahead in the polls, it would not be enough for the opposition to form government. “At the moment, it’s looking as though the coalition has consolidated its position as the force most likely to get a majority of the two-party preferred vote,” he told AAP. “It’s probably not enough (for) where the coalition need to be to be within a majority.
“The major parties are attracting support, but none ...
are in a strong position to win a majority of seats.” The next election is due to be held by May, with predictions of a hung parliament. Labor currently holds 78 seats to the coalition’s 55, with 76 needed for a party to govern in its own right.
“If the Newspoll is replicated on election day, Labor is still in the box seat to form minority government. They would still have a higher number of seats than the coalition,” Dr Ghazarian said. “First-term governments can lose support really quickly, but the chall.