Newspoll: Voters rate Anthony Albanese as ‘weak, out of touch’, as polling remains tight against Liberals

Australians view Anthony Albanese as the weakest national leader in decades, with Peter Dutton firming as the stronger option for voters as a Newspoll shows the next election remains neck and neck.

The damning new figures published in The Australian shows the Prime Minister falling further behind Mr Dutton on key leadership qualities sought by Australian voters.

While Mr Dutton remained unchanged at 60 per cent, Mr Albanese fell five points to 44 per cent on the key question of strong and decisive leadership.

The rating is the lowest of any Prime Minister since the question was first asked in 2008, while Mr Dutton’s is the highest for any Opposition Leader.

After a bruising political year, Mr Albanese also lost three points on the question of being in touch with voters, drawing level with Mr Dutton on 43 per cent.

Mr Dutton also maintained his lead as more experienced — 70 per cent to Mr Albanese’s 68 per cent — and visionary — 61 per cent to 56 per cent.

The Prime Minister was considered more likeable and caring, and less arrogant than his Opposition counterpart.

While continuing to lead Mr Dutton as more trustworthy, the Prime Minister suffered a drop of three points.

In one of the final Newspolls of the year, ahead of next year’s Federal election, Mr Albanese’s Labor again drew level on two-party preferred support.

With the election currently predicted to return a hung Parliament, Labor remained at a primary vote of 33 per cent, while the Coalition dropped one point to 39 per cent.

While leading as preferred Prime Minister over Mr Dutton, Mr Albanese recorded a lower approval rating, with a net minus 14 per cent compared to the Opposition Leader’s minus 12 per cent.

On Sunday, Mr Albanese wrapped up a three-day visit with WA — where Labor must hold all of its nine seats if it hopes to win government in its own right at the next election, due before the end of May.

Mr Dutton visited Tasmania, where the Liberals are hopeful of holding their two seats, while picking up Labor’s remaining electorates in the State.