Australia PM Albanese extends leads in polls after Trump tariffs hit

SYDNEY – Support for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Labor government has risen to its highest point in 11 months ahead of a vote on May 3, against a backdrop of US President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs that sent Australia’s trade-sensitive markets into a tailspin on April 4.

The centre-left Labor Party saw its vote rise to 52 per cent on a two-party preferred basis in a Newspoll survey released by The Australian newspaper on April 6, up a point from last week and its strongest result since May 2024. At the same time, support for the opposition Liberal-National Coalition sank one point to 48 per cent.

Mr Albanese’s approval rating dropped slightly to 42 per cent while opposition Liberal leader Peter Dutton’s popularity rose one point, but the Prime Minister is still more popular than his opponent.

In a survey of voter opinions, Mr Albanese was considered more likeable, caring and experienced than Mr Dutton, while the former Queensland police officer was seen as more strong and decisive but also more arrogant.

Australia is heading to an election in May, with Mr Albanese attempting to become the first Australian leader in two decades to win consecutive elections.

However, with just a slim majority in Australia’s Lower House of Parliament, the loss of even a handful of seats could force him to rely on minor parties and independent lawmakers to govern.

It comes as the first week of the 2025 election campaign was overshadowed by Mr Trump’s announcement of reciprocal tariffs, which saw Australia hit with a 10 per cent levy on all imports to the US.

Mr Albanese said the actions were “not the act of a friend” and unveiled a suite of measures to protect Australian industry.

Mr Dutton, whose policies on government workers and social programmes have sparked