Malcolm Turnbull’s Low‑Low Poll Worry
Yo, Aussie politics just got a bit wilder. The Newspoll does a quick look at Mr. Turnbull’s popularity, and guess what? His faves slump to 37%, only slightly ahead of Lab’s Bill Shorten (35%). That’s the tightest screen anytime since he became PM.
Why the Drop?
Picture this: Last month’s little scandal with Barnaby Joyce (says he’s dating a staffer and a baby at the same time!). Turnbull was quick to slam the deputy, even banning “politician‑staffer hookups.” That moved some of his own supporters to the fence line.
Result: The gap narrowed from a 14‑point lead (45% vs 31%) to a skinny 2‑point advantage.
Coalition’s Roller‑Coaster
- 28 straight polls had Labor leading the rope‑tie.
- Turnbull’s charm kept the “real” leadership fight at bay.
- Now, Newspoll hints the next slide is about to flip.
Party Drama
Turnbull himself gets lit: He tried to fire Barnes without a veto, sparking backlash from folks who want to break the long‑standing coalition. In a surprise twist, Barnes said the baby might not actually be his, leaving everyone more confused.
Trimmer Michaelia Cash fired back at Shorten on March 1, but the message didn’t stick. Nick Economou says this may have hurt Turnbull’s vibe: “There’s no real discipline or direction in this government.”
Past Crises & Future Flick
Remember the “dual citizenship” mess that sent many MPs out for a re‑run last year? That was a turning point.
Right now, the #Newspoll count shows Labor knocking over the coalition’s ranking with every poll that hits the mark. Turnbull used to point at former PM Abbott for 30 straight losses, but the game is handed over now. The next polls are the real drama.
