London [UK], August 18: The percentage of voters happy with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's performance outnumbers those dissatisfied for the first time in two years, a new poll shows.
The Newspoll, published in The Australian on Monday, indicates Mr Albanese's federal Labor party retains a solid two-party-preferred lead over the coalition at 56 per cent to 44 per cent.
The previous Newspoll, taken in July, had Labor ahead by 57 per cent to 43 per cent.
The latest survey said Labor's primary vote was unchanged at 36 per cent while the coalition's support rose one percentage point to 30 per cent.
The Greens were steady on 12 per cent, One Nation was up one point to nine per cent and backing for the independents and minor parties category dipped two points to 13 per cent.
Mr Albanese's previous net approval rating of zero improved in the new poll to plus three, with 49 per cent of voters satisfied with his performance and 46 per cent dissatisfied.
It marks Mr Albanese's first positive net approval rating in a Newspoll since September 2023.
Coalition leader Sussan Ley's net approval rating is at minus nine, deteriorating from the minus seven result she received in the prior month.
About 21 per cent of respondents to the Newspoll indicated it was still too early to judge her performance.
On the question of who would be the better prime minister, 51 per cent said Mr Albanese, 31 per cent said Ms Ley and 18 per cent were uncommitted - with the latter option gaining two points since the last Newspoll and the leaders each dropping one point.
The Newspoll of 1283 voters was conducted online between August 11 and August 14.
Meanwhile, another poll published on Monday by Nine shows voter support for the government's plan to recognise Palestinian statehood is split.
The Resolve poll shows 36 per cent don't believe recognition will affect the situation in the Middle East, while 25 per cent believe it will. The remaining 40 per cent were unsure.
"The feedback is that this move is largely symbolic, which is not to devalue the power of symbols," pollster Jim Reed told Nine.
"But in this case, people don't think Australia's actions will make much, if any, difference on the ground in Gaza."
Australia plans to join France, Canada and the UK in recognising Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York next month.
Asked if Australia should wait until Hamas, which controls Gaza, is replaced or until Palestine considers recognising Israel's right to exist, 32 per cent agreed.
Another 24 per cent said recognition should happen regardless of who's in power.
The Resolve poll of 1800 voters was taken between August 11-16.
Source: Fijian Broadcasting Corporation
