Budget gives Abbott much-needed poll boost
AAP
The ‘dull and boring’ budget appears to have delivered the Abbott government a much-needed boost in the polls, with the Coalition widening its lead over Labor.
Despite most people believing they won’t be any better off under the new measures, the Prime Minister’s approval rating has also improved significantly.
• In a rush: a brief guide to Budget 2015
• Some of the best and most brutal post-budget interviews
According to the ReachTEL Seven poll conducted the day after the budget’s release, the government leads Labor on the primary vote, 41.1 to 38.3 per cent.
At the last poll conducted on April 23, the Coalition led Labor by just .5 per cent, 39.8 to 39.3 per cent.
This represents a drop in Labor’s vote by one point and an improvement in the Coalition’s vote by two points.
Mr Abbott’s net satisfaction rating also improved significantly following the budget, with his satisfaction level growing five points, -27.2 to -21.9.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten’s standing remained relatively unchanged at -15.8, down from -16.1.
On a two-party-preferred basis, Labor still leads by a large margin, 53 to 47 per cent, but this figure has narrowed by one per cent since April.
Despite being accused of living in “bliss la la land” by Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Thursday evening, Mr Shorten is the clear preferred prime minister.
Of those polled, 57.2 per cent said Mr Shorten would make a better leader, while 42.8 per cent said they were happy with the status quo.
When asked how the budget would affect them, 30 per cent of respondents said they would be worse off financially, while more than half said they would be about the same.
Just 16 per cent said they would be better off.