Victoria's political landscape is in turmoil as a shocking new poll reveals a dramatic shift in voter preferences! Pauline Hanson's One Nation party has surged to the top, leaving established parties in its wake.
The Roy Morgan poll, conducted in mid-February, shows One Nation at 26.5%, nudging past Labor's 25.5%. The Liberal-National Coalition lags behind at 21.5%, with the Greens capturing 13.5% and independents/minor parties at 13%. This scenario hints at a hung parliament if elections were held today.
But here's the twist: despite One Nation's impressive lead, Premier Jacinta Allan's Labor party remains favored on preferences. In a two-party-preferred scenario, Labor leads 52-48 against Jess Wilson's Coalition and 52.5-47.5 against One Nation. And in a three-party-preferred contest, Labor maintains a lead with 44.5%, followed by One Nation at 29.5% and the Coalition at 26%.
And this is the part most people miss: in a hypothetical runoff between the Coalition and One Nation, the Liberals and Nationals would triumph with 56% thanks to Labor voters ranking One Nation last.
Premier Allan faces a challenging situation, with 51% of voters believing Wilson would make a better premier, compared to 42.5% for Allan. Wilson leads among men, all age groups, and across Melbourne and regional Victoria. Allan's approval rating stands at a mere 30.5%, while 67.5% disapprove of her performance.
One Nation's Victorian MP, Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell, attributes the poll results to the party's connection with voters. 'The poll numbers reflect the support I witness daily,' she said. 'Voters are tired of being overlooked by the major parties.' Tyrrell remains cautious, emphasizing the importance of the election day poll and One Nation's commitment to listening to Victorians.
The poll's release coincides with a tense period for Premier Allan, who clashed with reporters over the CFMEU and her 'Big Build' program. Allan demanded a Channel 10 reporter retract a comment about her seeming disinterest in CFMEU corruption victims, insisting she was merely contemplating her response. This exchange highlights the pressure Allan faces as the election approaches on November 28.
Do you think One Nation's rise is a temporary blip or a sign of a significant political shift? Will Labor manage to hold on to power, or is a hung parliament inevitable? Share your thoughts below!
