Regardless of what the polls are saying about Bill Shorten and Malcolm Turnbull‘s favourability coming into the election, one thing is crystal clear: neither of them are particularly liked. They’re both in the negative when it comes to favourability ratings, and even Turnbull – who soared into office on a high after booting Tony Abbott – has cratered.
The latest Newspoll reckons many Australians are just about done with the both of ’em and their respective parties. 15 percent of voters are ready and willing to cast their vote for either a microparty or an independent, which is the highest figure since the poll was first conducted 31 years ago.
Support is falling for the Coalition, Labor and the Greens – and parties like the Nick Xenophon Team are benefitting. In fact, Xenophon’s party is expected to pick up 22 percent of the vote in South Australia, revealing deep, deep disillusionment over the actions of the majors.
They can feel it, too. Turnbull has shifted tack recently, urging voters not to go for the Greens or microparties, as he contends that it will lead to “chaotic unstable alliances” in the Senate. Clearly the last six years of Australian politics has spooked him somewhat.
It’s all a bit wild out there. Labor is scared of losing some inner city seats to the Greens, and the Coalition are struggling with the notion that some marginal seats will go elsewhere – even to someone from the Nick Xenophon Team.
Whatever happens, this election is gonna be a wild ride.
Source: The Australian / Newspoll.
Photo: Getty Images / Pool.
