Are Voters Turning a Blind Eye to Liberal Infighting? Not Exactly, but Albanese Faces Heat Over Soaring Costs
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Here’s a surprising twist in the political saga: despite weeks of internal bickering and public spats, the Liberal Party isn’t facing the backlash you’d expect from voters. But here’s where it gets controversial—while the Liberals seem to be skating by, Prime Minister Albanese is feeling the heat as rising living costs threaten to derail Labor’s post-election momentum. Could this be the Achilles’ heel of the Albanese government? Let’s dive in.
The latest Resolve Political Monitor poll reveals that the Coalition, after hitting rock bottom, is slowly clawing its way back. Despite a fortnight of infighting that would make any soap opera proud, their primary and two-party-preferred votes have barely budged. Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has seen a modest three-point rise in her preferred prime minister rating, though she still trails Albanese by a significant 14 points. But this is the part most people miss—voters aren’t punishing the Liberals for their drama, but they’re increasingly holding Albanese accountable for the skyrocketing cost of living.
Labor’s economic management is under the microscope like never before. A staggering two out of three voters plan to cut back on Christmas spending this year, and three out of five say they couldn’t handle an unexpected major expense. These aren’t just numbers; they’re real families making tough choices. Labor’s primary vote has dipped to 33%, down from a post-election high of 37% in August, and even below the 34.6% they secured in the May election. Meanwhile, the Coalition’s primary vote has inched up to 29%, still below their dismal election performance but showing a second consecutive month of growth after hitting a record low of 27% in September.
But here’s the kicker: 91% of voters surveyed identified “keeping the cost of living low” as a top priority, rivaling the 92% who felt the same way during this year’s election. When asked to name the most important policy, 42% chose cost of living—no other issue even came close. And in a troubling sign for Albanese, 42% of voters now blame the federal government for rising costs, up from 36% in October. Only 7% point the finger at businesses, and just 16% blame global factors. This shift in blame could spell trouble for Labor if they don’t act fast.
Pollster Jim Reed puts it bluntly: cost pressures are the dominant issue, and they won’t go away until prices drop. But he also warns that the Coalition’s recovery hinges on their ability to get their act together. “Until they present a unified front and a clear alternative policy agenda, only their die-hard supporters will stick with them,” he says. Labor would still win comfortably today, but the Coalition is closing the gap on key issues like economic management and cost of living, with both parties hovering around 30%.
The financial strain on households is palpable. A whopping 61% of people say they’d struggle to cover a major expense like a new fridge or car repair, up sharply from 50% in December 2024. And it’s not just big-ticket items—70% plan to spend less on Christmas, 71% will buy fewer or cheaper gifts, and 63% find it harder to make ends meet than last year. When asked about the economic outlook, only 20% expect improvement in the next six months, while 42% predict things will get worse.
In the two-party-preferred vote, Labor’s lead has narrowed to 53-47, down from 55-45 last month and a high of 59-41 in September. This shift comes despite the Coalition’s internal battles over Australia’s net zero emissions target by 2050, which has sparked bitter infighting and a dip in Ley’s approval ratings. Ley’s personal performance rating took a hit after losing frontbench members and making a series of missteps, including calling for Kevin Rudd’s removal as US ambassador and accusing Albanese of wearing an antisemitic T-shirt. Her net performance rating now stands at minus seven percent.
As the Liberal Party heads back to Canberra to finalize its net zero policy, there’s growing speculation they might abandon or delay their 2050 commitment. This could further divide the party but might also appeal to voters skeptical of ambitious climate targets. Is this a smart political move, or a risky gamble? Weigh in below—do you think the Coalition can capitalize on Labor’s economic woes, or will their internal chaos hold them back? And how should Albanese address the cost of living crisis before it’s too late? Let’s spark a debate!
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