Voters’ support for Labour, Anthony Albanese drops out in new poll after first week of campaign

By:
On:
In: Drops

After a rock star arrived at the Byron Bay Bluesfest on Sunday, Labor leader Anthony Albanese received a reaction from the crowd that nobody wants when they are on stage.

There were loud boos amid the cheers as the Leader of the Opposition made a short address to the audience.

It was a scathing end to Easter Sunday after an exclusive Solve the poll for The Sydney Morning Herald and age had previously shown support for Labor and its leader plunged after the first week of the election campaign.

“Anthony Albanese received a warm welcome from the crowd when he first arrived at Bluesfest,” said 9News political reporter Fiona Willan.

“Not so friendly when he got on stage…until Jimmy Barnes showed up.”

Mr Albanese was applauded during his speech when he referenced the recognition of First Nations peoples in the constitution and called for “a government that supports the arts sector”.

But the loudest cheer came from his last words: “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Jimmy Barnes.”

People react when opposition leader Anthony Albanese is introduced at the Byron Bay Bluesfest. (Alex Ellinghausen)
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese meets cheering onlookers during a visit to the Byron Bay Bluesfest. (Alex Ellinghausen)
The hostility in Byron Bay comes after the Solve the pollreleased at 6pm, suggests a series of missteps by Mr Albanese has prompted some voters to abandon the opposition leader, who is seeking to bring Labor back into government for the first time in nearly 10 years.

Voters’ support for the opposition fell from 38% to 34%.

Two weeks ago, Mr Albanese had a slim lead over Scott Morrison as preferred Prime Minister, 37% to 36%.

Scott Morrison is alongside Warringah candidate Katherine Deves.
Primary support for the Coalition has fallen from 34% to 35%. (Alex Ellinghausen)

But those fortunes have now been reversed and Mr Morrison leads Mr Albanese, 38% to 30%.

Core support for the Coalition fell from 34% to 35%, and Mr Morrison gained personal approval and performance on key issues such as economic management and national security.