Labor leads the Coalition 56-44 per cent and PM Scott Morrison has slumped dramatically in first 2022 Newspoll, reports MICHELLE GRATTAN.

LABOR has opened a 56-44 per cent, two-party lead and Scott Morrison’s net satisfaction rating has plunged 11 points in Newspoll, after a disastrous summer in which Omicron has ripped through most of the country and deaths have spiked.

The poll, published in “The Australian” and the first Newspoll of the year, found the government dropping behind Labor for the first time as better at leading Australia’s recovery out of the pandemic.

The Coalition primary vote fell two points to 34 per cent, compared with the final Newspoll of 2021, while the ALP’s vote rose three points to 41 per cent.

The large Labor two-party lead compares with its pre-Christmas lead of 53-47 per cent and, if replicated at an election, would bring a landslide loss for the Morrison government. The current 56-44 per cent Labor lead is the biggest for the opposition since September, 2018.

The total deaths of people with covid so far this year is approaching 1500. Shortages of rapid antigen tests and serious supply chain problems resulting in shortages on supermarket shelves have led to high levels of community frustration.

With parliament resuming next week for what is expected to be a difficult fortnight sitting for the government, the poll numbers will unsettle already worried Coalition backbenchers.

Anthony Albanese has almost closed the gap on Morrison as better prime minister in the poll – Morrison leads by 43 per cent to 41 per cent. This compares to Morrison’s 45-36 per cent lead in December.

Net satisfaction with Morrison, down 11 points, is now minus 19, his lowest ranking since early 2020 after the bushfires.

His satisfaction is down five points to 39 per cent; his dissatisfaction rating is up six points to 58 per cent.

Albanese’s net satisfaction rating is zero. His approval increased four points to 43 per cent; his disapproval fell two points.

One third (33 per cent) thought Albanese would be better at leading the country’s recovery out of the pandemic, compared to 32 per cent who opted for Morrison.

On who would be better at leading Australia on climate change, Albanese was on 39 per cent and Morrison 21 per cent.

On creating jobs and growth, Morrison led Albanese 33-31 per cent, and on dealing with China Morrison was ahead of Albanese 31-26 per cent.

Asked which of the several issues was the most important when deciding how they would vote, 38 per cent chose coming out of the pandemic. It came in above creating jobs and growing the economy (26 per cent), leading Australia’s response to climate change (21 per cent), and dealing with the threat of China in the Asia-Pacific (10 per cent).

Concerns with covid were greatest in Queensland, which had been relatively protected before it saw infections and deaths rise sharply after opening its border: 38 per cent of voters there said it was the most important issue when deciding who to vote for. This compared to 35 per cent in NSW and 32 per cent in Victoria.

The Greens were on 11 per cent (up a point), Pauline Hanson’s One Nation was unchanged on three per cent; independents and minor parties were down two points to 11 per cent.

The national poll was conducted during January 25-28 with 1526 people.

Meanwhile the NSW government on Sunday (January 30) sharply criticised the federal government for not financially contributing to a state support package for small and medium-sized businesses that are being hit by the Omicron wave.

Unveiling the $1 billion package, NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said: “I was hoping to make this announcement standing beside Prime Minister today and the Treasurer. But they’re not to be found.”

Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra. This article is republished from The Conversation.