Anthony Albanese's personal popularity has taken a dive in a new poll amid economic and security frustrations, while the Coalition appears to have stopped its slide.
The Newspoll published on Sunday night in The Australian showed Opposition leader Angus Taylor faring much better than previous leader Sussan Ley who he rolled in a spill motion on February 13.
One Nation is still going strong with 27 per cent of the primary vote, ahead of the Coalition's 20 per cent and Labor's 32 per cent, but Anthony Albanese's personal performance is in its lowest position since last year's election.
The Greens' primary vote fell from 12 per cent to 11 per cent and support for Independents and minor parties was steady at 10 per cent.
Anthony Albanese's net approval rating has plunged down to -15 with 55 per cent of respondents dissatisfied with his performance and 40 per cent satisfied.
But what will likely worry Albanese is that his lead against the leader of the Opposition as preferred Prime Minister has dramatically shortened since Angus Taylor took over.
The Newspoll showed 45 per cent of voters said Albanese would make the better Prime Minister compared to Angus Taylor at 37 per cent.
Just last month the same question had Albanese at 54 per cent ahead of Sussan Ley at just 27 per cent.
A Newspoll released on Sunday night showed Anthony Albanese's personal approval rating has dipped and his gap ahead of the Coalition has shortened since it replaced its leader
Pauline Hanson's One Nation is steady with 27 per cent of the primary vote
Angus Taylor has made ground on the PM in just two short weeks
The poll surveyed 1,237 people between February 23 and February 26.
Ley, the Opposition's first female leader, took a swipe at her successor Taylor as she resigned on Friday, triggering a by-election in her seat.
The regional NSW electorate of Farrer is expected to be a hotly contested four-way battle.
Ms Ley outlined a list of her proudest achievements and delivered a parting shot at Mr Taylor who became the Liberal leader in an emphatic party room victory earlier in February.
'It will be for commentators and historians to measure the period of my leadership,' she said in a statement on Friday.
'I welcome the Coalition's immediate re-adoption of many of these directions and policies in recent days and weeks.'
Ms Ley, who held her seat for 25 years, said it was crucial the Liberals maintained Farrer as the Coalition has held it since its creation in 1949.
'I know that Angus Taylor can and will ensure the party continues to enjoy the support, trust and confidence of the people of Farrer,' she said.
Among Coalition ranks, the vote is viewed as the first major test of Mr Taylor's leadership.
Sussan Ley resigned on Friday triggering a by-election in the seat of Farrar
Fellow independents David Pocock and Helen Haines publicly endorsed Michelle Milthorpe on Friday, kicking off the campaign for Farrer, even though a by-election date is yet to be set.
Mrs Milthorpe ran against Ms Ley in the 2025 federal election, losing 56.2 to 43.8 per cent after preferences, narrowing Ms Ley's margin to 6.2 per cent.
'We are not a safe seat anymore and this is our time to make change,' Mrs Milthorpe told reporters in Albury.
Advocating for a fit-for-purpose hospital, farmers and calling for a Royal Commission into water after years of mismanagement are some of the first items on her agenda, she said.
Mr Taylor said Ms Ley made a massive contribution to the Liberals and the nation, admitting the by-election would be hard to win.
'The Farrer by-election is going to be very, very tough,' he told reporters in Sydney.
The Liberals, Nationals and One Nation are all expected to run candidates, but are yet to announce them for the upcoming vote.
