Essential Report
Preferred Prime Minister
Q. Who do you think would make the better Prime Minister out of Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese?
| Sep’21 | Aug’21 | Jul’21 | Jun’21 | May’21 | Apr’21 | Mar’21 | Feb’21 | Jan’21 | Dec’20 | Nov’20 | Oct’20 | |
| Scott Morrison | 47% | 45% | 46% | 48% | 50% | 47% | 52% | 52% | 51% | 50% | 53% | 50% |
| Anthony Albanese | 26% | 26% | 28% | 28% | 24% | 28% | 26% | 24% | 25% | 24% | 24% | 25% |
| Don’t know | 27% | 29% | 26% | 24% | 26% | 25% | 22% | 24% | 25% | 26% | 24% | 25% |
| Base (n) | 1,100 | 1,098 | 1,099 | 1,104 | 1,092 | 1,368 | 1,124 | 1,109 | 1,084 | 1,071 | 1,010 | 1,082 |
- 47% of Australians continue to think that Scott Morrison would make a better PM than Anthony Albanese (45% last month).
- Just over a quarter (26%) think the opposition leader would make the better Prime Minister (same last month). 27% of participants don’t know who would make the better PM.
Preferred Prime Minister
Q. Who do you think would make the better Prime Minister out of Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese?
| Jul’21 | Jun’21 | May’21 | Apr’21 | Mar’21 | Feb’21 | Jan’21 | Dec’20 | Nov’20 | Oct’20 | Sep’20 | Aug’20 | |
| Scott Morrison | 46% | 48% | 50% | 47% | 52% | 52% | 51% | 50% | 53% | 50% | 49% | 52% |
| Anthony Albanese | 28% | 28% | 24% | 28% | 26% | 24% | 25% | 24% | 24% | 25% | 26% | 22% |
| Don’t know | 26% | 24% | 26% | 25% | 22% | 24% | 25% | 26% | 24% | 25% | 25% | 26% |
| Base (n) | 1,099 | 1,104 | 1,092 | 1,368 | 1,124 | 1,109 | 1,084 | 1,071 | 1,010 | 1,082 | 1,076 | 1,010 |
- Less than half (46%) of Australians now believe that Scott Morrison would make a better PM than Anthony Albanese (48% last month).
- 28% think the opposition leader would make the better Prime Minister (same level in June). 26% of participants don’t know who would make the better PM.
| Men | Jul’21 | Jun’21 | May’21 | Apr’21 | Mar’21 | Feb’21 | Jan’21 | Dec’20 | Nov’20 | Oct’20 |
| Scott Morrison | 48% | 54% | 54% | 53% | 52% | 54% | 53% | 54% | 54% | 52% |
| Anthony Albanese | 31% | 30% | 26% | 29% | 30% | 28% | 28% | 29% | 28% | 29% |
| Don’t know | 21% | 16% | 20% | 18% | 19% | 19% | 19% | 17% | 19% | 19% |
| Women | ||||||||||
| Scott Morrison | 43% | 43% | 47% | 42% | 53% | 51% | 48% | 47% | 51% | 47% |
| Anthony Albanese | 26% | 25% | 22% | 26% | 23% | 21% | 22% | 19% | 20% | 22% |
| Don’t know | 31% | 31% | 31% | 32% | 24% | 29% | 31% | 34% | 28% | 31% |
- Less than half (48%) of men now believe Scott Morrison makes the better PM (54% in June), the lowest number since last March. About the same proportion as last month think Albanese would make the better PM (31%). More men are now unsure who would make the better PM (21% from 16% last month).
- The proportion of women who think Scott Morrison makes the better PM has dropped since May to 43% (from 47%). Just over a quarter (26%) of women now think Anthony Albanese would make the better PM (from 22% in May). 31% are undecided, consistent with the past few months.
Preferred Prime Minister
Q. Who do you think would make the better Prime Minister out of Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese?
| Jun’21 | May’21 | Apr’21 | Mar’21 | Feb’21 | Jan’21 | Dec’20 | Nov’20 | Oct’20 | Sep’20 | Aug’20 | Jul’20 | |
| Scott Morrison | 48% | 50% | 47% | 52% | 52% | 51% | 50% | 53% | 50% | 49% | 52% | 50% |
| Anthony Albanese | 28% | 24% | 28% | 26% | 24% | 25% | 24% | 24% | 25% | 26% | 22% | 27% |
| Don’t know | 24% | 26% | 25% | 22% | 24% | 25% | 26% | 24% | 25% | 25% | 26% | 23% |
| Base (n) | 1,104 | 1,092 | 1,368 | 1,124 | 1,109 | 1,084 | 1,071 | 1,010 | 1,082 | 1,076 | 1,010 | 1,054 |
- Just under half (48%) of participants believe that Scott Morrison would make a better PM than Anthony Albanese (50% last month).
- 28% think the opposition leader would make the better Prime Minister (24% in May). 24% of participants don’t know who would make the better PM.
Preferred Prime Minister
Q. Who do you think would make the better Prime Minister out of Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese?
| May’21 | Apr’21 | Mar’21 | Feb’21 | Jan’21 | Dec’20 | Nov’20 | Oct’20 | Sep’20 | Aug’20 | Jul’20 | Jun’20 | |
| Scott Morrison | 50% | 47% | 52% | 52% | 51% | 50% | 53% | 50% | 49% | 52% | 50% | 53% |
| Anthony Albanese | 24% | 28% | 26% | 24% | 25% | 24% | 24% | 25% | 26% | 22% | 27% | 23% |
| Don’t know | 26% | 25% | 22% | 24% | 25% | 26% | 24% | 25% | 25% | 26% | 23% | 24% |
| Base (n) | 1,092 | 1,368 | 1,124 | 1,109 | 1,084 | 1,071 | 1,010 | 1,082 | 1,076 | 1,010 | 1,054 | 1,059 |
| Men | May’21 | Apr’21 | Mar’21 | Feb’21 | Jan’21 | Dec’20 | Nov’20 | Oct’20 |
| Scott Morrison | 54% | 53% | 52% | 54% | 53% | 54% | 54% | 52% |
| Anthony Albanese | 26% | 29% | 30% | 28% | 28% | 29% | 28% | 29% |
| Don’t know | 20% | 18% | 19% | 19% | 19% | 17% | 19% | 19% |
| Women | ||||||||
| Scott Morrison | 47% | 42% | 53% | 51% | 48% | 47% | 51% | 47% |
| Anthony Albanese | 22% | 26% | 23% | 21% | 22% | 19% | 20% | 22% |
| Don’t know | 31% | 32% | 24% | 29% | 31% | 34% | 28% | 31% |
| May’21 | Federal Voting Intention | ||||
| Total | Labor | Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | |
| Scott Morrison | 50% | 32% | 83% | 29% | 34% |
| Anthony Albanese | 24% | 41% | 7% | 46% | 22% |
| Don’t know | 26% | 26% | 9% | 25% | 44% |
| Base (n) | 1,092 | 371 | 400 | 109 | 111 |
- Half (50%) of participants believe that Scott Morrison would make a better PM than Anthony Albanese (47% last month).
- Just under a quarter (24%) would prefer the Opposition Leader (28% in April). Just over a quarter (26%) of participants don’t know who would make the better PM.
- Preference for Morrison has increased among women to 47% (from 42% last month). Preference is unchanged among men (54% and 53%).
- 41% of Labor voters believe Albanese would make the better PM, a notable drop from levels last month (50%). Just over a third (32%) now think Morrison would make the better leader (27% last month) and about a quarter (26%) don’t know.
Preferred Prime Minister
Q. Who do you think would make the better Prime Minister out of Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese?
| Apr’21 | Mar’21 | Feb’21 | Jan’21 | Dec’20 | Nov’20 | Oct’20 | Sep’20 | Aug’20 | Jul’20 | Jun’20 | May’20 | |
| Scott Morrison | 47% | 52% | 52% | 51% | 50% | 53% | 50% | 49% | 52% | 50% | 53% | 50% |
| Anthony Albanese | 28% | 26% | 24% | 25% | 24% | 24% | 25% | 26% | 22% | 27% | 23% | 25% |
| Don’t know | 25% | 22% | 24% | 25% | 26% | 24% | 25% | 25% | 26% | 23% | 24% | 25% |
| Base (n) | 1,368 | 1,124 | 1,109 | 1,084 | 1,071 | 1,010 | 1,082 | 1,076 | 1,010 | 1,054 | 1,059 | 1,093 |
| Men | Apr’21 | Mar’21 | Feb’21 | Jan’21 | Dec’20 | Nov’20 | Oct’20 |
| Scott Morrison | 53% | 52% | 54% | 53% | 54% | 54% | 52% |
| Anthony Albanese | 29% | 30% | 28% | 28% | 29% | 28% | 29% |
| Don’t know | 18% | 19% | 19% | 19% | 17% | 19% | 19% |
| Women | |||||||
| Scott Morrison | 42% | 53% | 51% | 48% | 47% | 51% | 47% |
| Anthony Albanese | 26% | 23% | 21% | 22% | 19% | 20% | 22% |
| Don’t know | 32% | 24% | 29% | 31% | 34% | 28% | 31% |
| Apr’21 | Federal Voting Intention | ||||
| Total | Labor | Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | |
| Scott Morrison | 47% | 27% | 80% | 28% | 41% |
| Anthony Albanese | 28% | 50% | 10% | 45% | 20% |
| Don’t know | 25% | 24% | 9% | 26% | 39% |
| Base (n) | 1,368 | 483 | 471 | 123 | 165 |
- Just under half (47%) of participants believe that Scott Morrison would make a better PM than Anthony Albanese, a drop since last month (52%) and the lowest figure seen in the last 12 months.
- 28% would prefer the Opposition Leader (no change from 26% in March). A quarter (25%) of participants don’t know who would make the better PM.
- Preference for Morrison has dropped among women from 53% last month to 42% in April. Preference is unchanged among men (52% and 53%).
- Half (50%) of Labor voters believe Albanese would make the better PM, consistent with levels last month (49%). Just under a third (27%) think Morrison would make the better leader and about a quarter (24%) don’t know.
Preferred Prime Minister
Q. Who do you think would make the better Prime Minister out of Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese?
| Mar’21 | Feb’21 | Jan’21 | Dec’20 | Nov’20 | Oct’20 | Sep’20 | Aug’20 | Jul’20 | Jun’20 | May’20 | Apr’20 | |
| Scott Morrison | 52% | 52% | 51% | 50% | 53% | 50% | 49% | 52% | 50% | 53% | 50% | 46% |
| Anthony Albanese | 26% | 24% | 25% | 24% | 24% | 25% | 26% | 22% | 27% | 23% | 25% | 27% |
| Don’t know | 22% | 24% | 25% | 26% | 24% | 25% | 25% | 26% | 23% | 24% | 25% | 27% |
| Base (n) | 1,124 | 1,109 | 1,084 | 1,071 | 1,010 | 1,082 | 1,076 | 1,010 | 1,054 | 1,059 | 1,093 | 1,069 |
| Federal Voting Intention | |||||
| Total | Labor | Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | |
| Scott Morrison | 52% | 31% | 86% | 25% | 46% |
| Anthony Albanese | 26% | 49% | 8% | 41% | 26% |
| Don’t know | 22% | 20% | 6% | 33% | 28% |
| Base (n) | 1,124 | 375 | 410 | 98 | 142 |
- 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 (26%). 22% of participants don’t know who would make the better PM.
- Morrison is strongly favoured by Coalition voters, with 86% believing Morrison makes the better PM, compared to Albanese (8%).
- Just under half (49%) of Labor voters now believe Albanese would make the better PM, a notable increase since last month (42%). A third (31%) still think Morrison would make the better leader and 20% don’t know.
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.
Preferred Prime Minister
Q. Who do you think would make the better Prime Minister out of Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese?
| Jan’21 | Dec’20 | Nov’20 | Oct’20 | Sep’20 | Aug’20 | Jul’20 | Jun’20 | May’20 | Apr’20 | Mar’20 | Feb’20 | |
| Scott Morrison | 51% | 50% | 53% | 50% | 49% | 52% | 50% | 53% | 50% | 46% | 40% | 36% |
| Anthony Albanese | 25% | 24% | 24% | 25% | 26% | 22% | 27% | 23% | 25% | 27% | 35% | 36% |
| Don’t know | 25% | 26% | 24% | 25% | 25% | 26% | 23% | 24% | 25% | 27% | 25% | 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 |
| Federal Voting Intention | |||||
| Total | Labor | Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | |
| Scott Morrison | 51% | 28% | 83% | 24% | 45% |
| Anthony Albanese | 25% | 47% | 8% | 49% | 16% |
| Don’t know | 25% | 26% | 9% | 27% | 39% |
| Base (n) | 1,084 | 334 | 431 | 118 | 106 |
- Half of participants believe that Scott Morrison would make a better PM than Anthony Albanese (51%), while a quarter would prefer the Opposition Leader (25%). A further quarter (25%) 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 (8%).
- Just under half of Labor voters believe Albanese would make the better PM (47%). 26% of Labor voters said they don’t know who would make the better leader.
COVID-19 RESEARCH
Read Essential's ongoing research on the public response to Covid-19.
Essential Report
In this week's report:
- Federal government response to Covid-19
- State government response to Covid-19
- Views towards reopening international borders
- Views towards state border closures
- Comprehension and confidence in PM’s plan to ‘safely reopen’ Australia
- Uptake of a Covid-19 vaccine
- Necessity of mandatory vaccinations in specific situations
- Views towards easing restrictions for fully vaccinated people
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