Albanese widens preferred PM lead despite One Nation narrowing primary vote gap

Anthony Albanese has extended his lead as preferred prime minister in the latest News24.com.au Pulse / YouGov poll, despite a difficult period for the government and falling satisfaction with his performance.

The poll found Mr Albanese led Opposition Leader Angus Taylor 44 per cent to 37 per cent as preferred prime minister. He also led One Nation leader Pauline Hanson 52-37, pushing that margin out to 15 points.

At the same time, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation has closed to within three points of Labor on the primary vote. Labor now sits on 29 per cent, up one point, while One Nation climbed two points to 26 per cent. The Coalition fell one point to 21 per cent, leaving it five points behind One Nation, while the Greens were unchanged on 12 per cent.

On a two-party preferred basis, Labor led the Coalition 53-47 and defeated One Nation 56-44. The News24.com.au Pulse / YouGov poll of 1510 voters was conducted online between August 18 and 24.

During the polling period Labor passed its NDIS reforms with Coalition support, but was forced to cut a deal to urgently scrap its “widow’s tax”. Labor also passed its gambling advertising reforms, although the legislation was criticised by the crossbench for not going far enough.

Those wins were partly overshadowed by political controversies including Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh disrespecting a group of decorated veterans, and Mr Albanese facing further fallout over the so-called “melongate” controversy.

But One Nation has also faced fresh scrutiny in recent days over confusion surrounding its migration policy. Pressure mounted after newly elected One Nation Farrer MP David Farley suggested the party’s proposed migration intake was “not too different” from Labor’s target, despite One Nation publicly setting a net overseas migration target of 130,000 against the federal government’s forecast of 225,000.

Ms Hanson later moved to reaffirm the party’s target, saying short-term seasonal agricultural workers who did not meet the residency test were already excluded from net overseas migration figures. “They come for limited periods, often live on farms or regional properties while they work, and return home,” Hanson said in a post to X.

Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek also seized on the confusion, saying, “If there’s three One Nation MPs in a room, there’s three different immigration policies.”

The latest poll comes as voters continue to nominate cost of living as their dominant concern. It remained the most important issue, followed by immigration, housing and the economy.

Mr Albanese’s satisfaction rating fell to a net -24, with 35 per cent satisfied and 59 per cent dissatisfied. Mr Taylor also recorded a negative rating, with 33 per cent satisfied and 49 per cent dissatisfied, leaving him on a net -16.

YouGov Director of Public Data Paul Smith said the result reflected dissatisfaction with Mr Albanese, but little enthusiasm for the alternatives.

“In an election held now, Labor would easily win with the lowest election-winning primary vote ever,” Mr Smith said.

“Unusually, dissatisfaction with the Prime Minister is rising while at the same time voters are increasing their preference for him as preferred PM.

“Albanese’s strength is that he is seen as more capable at running the country and more trustworthy.

“But Pauline Hanson leads on being in touch with ordinary people, with a wider lead among working class voters.”