Performance of Anthony Albanese
Q. Do you approve or disapprove of the job Anthony Albanese is doing as Opposition Leader?
Feb’21 | Jan’21 | Dec’20 | Nov’20 | Oct’20 | Sep’20 | Aug’20 | Jul’20 | Jun’20 | May’20 | Apr’20 | Mar’20 | |
TOTAL: Approve | 40% | 42% | 43% | 40% | 44% | 44% | 44% | 44% | 43% | 42% | 44% | 41% |
TOTAL: Disapprove | 33% | 33% | 29% | 33% | 29% | 29% | 30% | 28% | 30% | 27% | 29% | 33% |
Don’t know | 27% | 25% | 28% | 27% | 27% | 27% | 25% | 28% | 26% | 31% | 27% | 26% |
Base (n) | 1,109 | 1,084 | 1,071 | 1,010 | 1,082 | 1,076 | 1,010 | 1,054 | 1,059 | 1,093 | 1,069 | 1,096 |
Total | Federal Voting Intention | ||||
Labor | Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
Strongly approve | 10% | 13% | 10% | 6% | 10% |
Approve | 30% | 45% | 21% | 28% | 27% |
Disapprove | 22% | 13% | 30% | 28% | 25% |
Strongly disapprove | 11% | 4% | 18% | 4% | 16% |
Don’t know | 27% | 25% | 21% | 33% | 22% |
TOTAL: Approve | 40% | 58% | 31% | 35% | 37% |
TOTAL: Disapprove | 33% | 17% | 48% | 32% | 42% |
Base (n) | 1,109 | 359 | 428 | 101 | 131 |
- The Opposition Leader’s approval rating is now at 40%, down from 42% last month and the lowest rating since last November.
- Approval of the Opposition Leader has fallen to 58% among Labor voters (from 63% in January) and 31% among Coalition voters (down from 35% in January).
Preferred Prime Minister
Q. Who do you think would make the better Prime Minister out of Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese?
Feb’21 | Jan’21 | Dec’20 | Nov’20 | Oct’20 | Sep’20 | Aug’20 | Jul’20 | Jun’20 | May’20 | Apr’20 | Mar’20 | |
Scott Morrison | 52% | 51% | 50% | 53% | 50% | 49% | 52% | 50% | 53% | 50% | 46% | 40% |
Anthony Albanese | 24% | 25% | 24% | 24% | 25% | 26% | 22% | 27% | 23% | 25% | 27% | 35% |
Don’t know | 24% | 25% | 26% | 24% | 25% | 25% | 26% | 23% | 24% | 25% | 27% | 25% |
Base (n) | 1,109 | 1,084 | 1,071 | 1,010 | 1,082 | 1,076 | 1,010 | 1,054 | 1,059 | 1,093 | 1,069 | 1,096 |
Federal Voting Intention | |||||
Total | Labor | Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | |
Scott Morrison | 52% | 33% | 83% | 33% | 40% |
Anthony Albanese | 24% | 42% | 7% | 39% | 28% |
Don’t know | 24% | 25% | 11% | 28% | 31% |
Base (n) | 1,109 | 359 | 428 | 101 | 131 |
- Just over half of participants believe that Scott Morrison would make a better PM than Anthony Albanese (52%), while around a quarter would prefer the Opposition Leader (24%). About a further quarter (24%) of participants don’t know who would make the better PM.
- Morrison is strongly favoured by Coalition voters, with 83% believing Morrison makes the better PM, compared to Albanese (7%).
- 42% of Labor voters believe Albanese would make the better PM, a decrease since last month (47%). A quarter (25%) of Labor voters said they don’t know who would make the better leader.
Performance of Anthony Albanese
Q. Do you approve or disapprove of the job Anthony Albanese is doing as Opposition Leader?
Jan’21 | Dec’20 | Nov’20 | Oct’20 | Sep’20 | Aug’20 | Jul’20 | Jun’20 | May’20 | Apr’20 | Mar’20 | Feb’20 | |
TOTAL: Approve | 42% | 43% | 40% | 44% | 44% | 44% | 44% | 43% | 42% | 44% | 41% | 41% |
TOTAL: Disapprove | 33% | 29% | 33% | 29% | 29% | 30% | 28% | 30% | 27% | 29% | 33% | 31% |
Don’t know | 25% | 28% | 27% | 27% | 27% | 25% | 28% | 26% | 31% | 27% | 26% | 28% |
Base (n) | 1,084 | 1,071 | 1,010 | 1,082 | 1,076 | 1,010 | 1,054 | 1,059 | 1,093 | 1,069 | 1,096 | 1,056 |
Total | Federal Voting Intention | ||||
Labor | Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
Strongly approve | 9% | 16% | 8% | 8% | 3% |
Approve | 32% | 47% | 26% | 37% | 20% |
Disapprove | 23% | 14% | 33% | 22% | 25% |
Strongly disapprove | 10% | 3% | 16% | 7% | 22% |
Don’t know | 25% | 19% | 16% | 26% | 30% |
TOTAL: Approve | 42% | 63% | 35% | 45% | 24% |
TOTAL: Disapprove | 33% | 18% | 49% | 29% | 47% |
Base (n) | 1,084 | 334 | 431 | 118 | 106 |
- The Opposition Leader’s approval rating is now 42%, consistent with ratings seen throughout last year.
Performance of Anthony Albanese
Q. Do you approve or disapprove of the job Anthony Albanese is doing as Opposition Leader?
Dec’20 | Nov’20 | Oct’20 | Sep’20 | Aug’20 | Jul’20 | Jun’20 | May’20 | Apr’20 | Mar’20 | Feb’20 | Jan’20 | |
TOTAL: Approve | 43% | 40% | 44% | 44% | 44% | 44% | 43% | 42% | 44% | 41% | 41% | 43% |
TOTAL: Disapprove | 29% | 33% | 29% | 29% | 30% | 28% | 30% | 27% | 29% | 33% | 31% | 30% |
Don’t know | 28% | 27% | 27% | 27% | 25% | 28% | 26% | 31% | 27% | 26% | 28% | 27% |
Base (n) | 1,071 | 1,010 | 1,082 | 1,076 | 1,010 | 1,054 | 1,059 | 1,093 | 1,069 | 1,096 | 1,056 | 1,081 |
Total | Federal Voting Intention | ||||
Labor | Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
Strongly approve | 9% | 13% | 7% | 11% | 15% |
Approve | 34% | 48% | 29% | 30% | 22% |
Disapprove | 19% | 14% | 30% | 20% | 18% |
Strongly disapprove | 10% | 3% | 17% | 5% | 17% |
Don’t know | 28% | 21% | 17% | 35% | 29% |
TOTAL: Approve | 43% | 62% | 36% | 40% | 36% |
TOTAL: Disapprove | 29% | 17% | 47% | 25% | 35% |
Base (n) | 1,071 | 356 | 406 | 102 | 107 |
- The Opposition Leader’s approval rating is now 43% (40% in November) and about the same as ratings seen throughout the year.
Preferred Prime Minister
Q. Who do you think would make the better Prime Minister out of Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese?
Dec’20 | Nov’20 | Oct’20 | Sep’20 | Aug’20 | Jul’20 | Jun’20 | May’20 | Apr’20 | Mar’20 | Feb’20 | Jan’20 | |
Scott Morrison | 50% | 53% | 50% | 49% | 52% | 50% | 53% | 50% | 46% | 40% | 36% | 36% |
Anthony Albanese | 24% | 24% | 25% | 26% | 22% | 27% | 23% | 25% | 27% | 35% | 36% | 39% |
Don’t know | 26% | 24% | 25% | 25% | 26% | 23% | 24% | 25% | 27% | 25% | 28% | 25% |
Base (n) | 1,071 | 1,010 | 1,082 | 1,076 | 1,010 | 1,054 | 1,059 | 1,093 | 1,069 | 1,096 | 1,056 | 1,081 |
Federal Voting Intention | |||||
Total | Labor | Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | |
Scott Morrison | 50% | 27% | 84% | 36% | 53% |
Anthony Albanese | 24% | 46% | 8% | 34% | 19% |
Don’t know | 26% | 28% | 8% | 31% | 28% |
Base (n) | 1,071 | 356 | 406 | 102 | 107 |
- Half of participants believe that Scott Morrison would make a better PM than Anthony Albanese (50%), while a quarter would prefer the opposition leader (24%). A further quarter (26%) of participants don’t know who would make the better PM.
- Morrison is strongly favoured by Coalition voters, with 84% believing Morrison makes the better PM, compared to Albanese (8%).
- Over half of Labor voters believe Albanese would make the better PM (46%). 28% of Labor voters said they don’t know who would make the better leader.
Preferred Prime Minister
Q. Who do you think would make the better Prime Minister out of Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese?
Nov’20 | Oct’20 | Sep’20 | Aug’20 | Jul’20 | Jun’20 | May’20 | Apr’20 | Mar’20 | Feb’20 | Jan’20 | Nov’19 | |
Scott Morrison | 53% | 50% | 49% | 52% | 50% | 53% | 50% | 46% | 40% | 36% | 36% | 44% |
Anthony Albanese | 24% | 25% | 26% | 22% | 27% | 23% | 25% | 27% | 35% | 36% | 39% | 28% |
Don’t know | 24% | 25% | 25% | 26% | 23% | 24% | 25% | 27% | 25% | 28% | 25% | 29% |
Base (n) | 1,010 | 1,082 | 1,076 | 1,010 | 1,054 | 1,059 | 1,093 | 1,069 | 1,096 | 1,056 | 1,081 | 1,075 |
Federal Voting Intention | |||||
Total | Labor | Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | |
Scott Morrison | 53% | 31% | 87% | 28% | 48% |
Anthony Albanese | 24% | 48% | 6% | 37% | 20% |
Don’t know | 24% | 22% | 7% | 35% | 31% |
Base (n) | 1,010 | 323 | 404 | 80 | 122 |
- Just over half of participants believe that Scott Morrison would make a better PM than Anthony Albanese (53%), while a quarter would prefer the opposition leader (24%). A further quarter (24%) of participants don’t know who would make the better PM.
- Morrison is strongly favoured by Coalition voters, with 87% believing Morrison makes the better PM, compared to Albanese (6%).
- Half of Labor voters believe Albanese would make the better PM (48%). 22% of Labor voters said they didn’t know who would make the better leader.
Performance of Anthony Albanese
Q. Do you approve or disapprove of the job Anthony Albanese is doing as Opposition Leader?
Oct’20 | Sep’20 | Aug’20 | Jul’20 | Jun’20 | May’20 | Apr’20 | Mar’20 | Feb’20 | Jan’20 | Dec’19 | Nov’19 | |
TOTAL: Approve | 44% | 44% | 44% | 44% | 43% | 42% | 44% | 41% | 41% | 43% | 39% | 37% |
TOTAL: Disapprove | 29% | 29% | 30% | 28% | 30% | 27% | 29% | 33% | 31% | 30% | 28% | 34% |
Don’t know | 27% | 27% | 25% | 28% | 26% | 31% | 27% | 26% | 28% | 27% | 33% | 29% |
Base (n) | 1,082 | 1,076 | 1,010 | 1,054 | 1,059 | 1,093 | 1,069 | 1,096 | 1,056 | 1,081 | 1,035 | 1,075 |
Total | Federal Voting Intention | ||||
Labor | Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
Strongly approve | 10% | 15% | 7% | 16% | 11% |
Approve | 33% | 50% | 27% | 27% | 30% |
Disapprove | 20% | 12% | 30% | 16% | 19% |
Strongly disapprove | 10% | 1% | 18% | 4% | 19% |
Don’t know | 27% | 21% | 18% | 36% | 20% |
TOTAL: Approve | 44% | 65% | 34% | 43% | 41% |
TOTAL: Disapprove | 29% | 13% | 47% | 21% | 38% |
Base (n) | 1,082 | 352 | 421 | 84 | 123 |
- The Opposition Leader’s approval rating remains consistent for the fourth consecutive month at 44%.
- Albanese’s approval among Labor voters is steady at 65% following the decline from 70% to 62% between July and August. The proportion of Labor voters who strongly approve of his performance remains at 15%.
Preferred Prime Minister
Q. Who do you think would make the better Prime Minister out of Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese?
Oct’20 | Sep’20 | Aug’20 | Jul’20 | Jun’20 | May’20 | Apr’20 | Mar’20 | Feb’20 | Jan’20 | Nov’19 | Oct’19 | |
Scott Morrison | 50% | 49% | 52% | 50% | 53% | 50% | 46% | 40% | 36% | 36% | 44% | 43% |
Anthony Albanese | 25% | 26% | 22% | 27% | 23% | 25% | 27% | 35% | 36% | 39% | 28% | 28% |
Don’t know | 25% | 25% | 26% | 23% | 24% | 25% | 27% | 25% | 28% | 25% | 29% | 29% |
Base (n) | 1,082 | 1,076 | 1,010 | 1,054 | 1,059 | 1,093 | 1,069 | 1,096 | 1,056 | 1,081 | 1,075 | 1,088 |
Federal Voting Intention | |||||
Total | Labor | Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | |
Scott Morrison | 50% | 25% | 82% | 32% | 48% |
Anthony Albanese | 25% | 50% | 8% | 38% | 20% |
Don’t know | 25% | 24% | 10% | 29% | 32% |
Base (n) | 1,082 | 352 | 421 | 84 | 123 |
- Half of participants believe that Scott Morrison would make a better PM than Anthony Albanese (50%), while a quarter would prefer the opposition leader. A further quarter (25%) of participants don’t know who would make the better PM.
- Morrison is strongly favoured by Coalition voters, with 82% believing Morrison makes the better PM, compared to Albanese (8%).
- Half of Labor voters believe Albanese would make the better PM (50%, up from 46% in September). 24% of Labor voters said they didn’t know who would make the better leader.

COVID-19 RESEARCH
Read Essential's ongoing research on the public response to Covid-19.
Download this week's ReportEssential Report
Two Party Preferred:
In this week's report:
- Performance of Scott Morrison
- Performance of Anthony Albanese
- Preferred Prime Minister
- Federal government response to Covid-19
- State government response to Covid-19
- Better leadership during Covid-19 – PM vs state leader
- Attitudes towards Craig Kelly controversy and Scott Morrison’s leadership
- Views towards federal vs state government responsibility to manage Covid-19 hotel quarantine system
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