Support for Labor is at its lowest ebb since the 2022 election, although the coalition has failed to reap the benefits as voters swing to independents and minor parties, according to the latest Newspoll.
Labor's primary vote has fallen two points to 36 per cent, according to the poll published in The Australian on Monday - its weakest result since it won office with base support of 32.6 per cent.
The Newspoll came just after the coalition's victory at the Fadden by-election on Saturday, with Cameron Caldwell claiming the Gold Coast electorate with a more than two per cent swing to the opposition.
However, the coalition has lost ground nationally, falling to 34 per cent after damning findings against it at the robodebt royal commission.
Australians appear to be pulling their support from the major parties to express their frustration over their politicking over the commission's findings and the voice to parliament, instead of focusing on the cost of living crisis.
The survey showed a three-point rise in support for minor parties and independents.
Support for the Greens and Pauline Hanson's One Nation each rose a point to 12 and seven per cent respectively. Support for other minor parties and independents also rose a point to 11 per cent.
Labor has improved its two-party-preferred margin over the coalition by two points to 55-45 according to the poll of 1570 Australian voters, conducted between July 12 and 15.
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said the results from the Fadden by-election were largely expected and that the outcome was not driven by concerns over cost of living issues.
"The matters aren't necessarily linked, but we are certainly focused on cost of living pressures," she told ABC radio.
"I think in relation to that by-election it was an expected outcome from our point of view and we ran an excellent candidate."
Shadow treasurer Angus Taylor said cost of living issues were front of mind for voters.
"Inflationary pressures are biting deep and hard. It's what Australians want to deal with," he said.
Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie said worsening economic conditions would make the major parties' seats "ripe for the picking" for independents.
Labor leader Anthony Albanese's approval ratings are largely unchanged, remaining at 52 per cent - the lowest level since he was elected in May last year.
His dissatisfaction rating dropped a point to 41 per cent, giving him a net approval rating of plus 11.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's approval ratings fell two points to 36 per cent, while his dissatisfaction rating was unchanged from last month's poll at 49 per cent. His net approval rating is minus 13.
The preferred prime minister ratings reflected these results with Mr Albanese lifting two points to 54 per cent and Mr Dutton dropping three points to 29 per cent.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said despite the government losing ground, Labor was unconcerned by the result.
"Polls jump around all the time and we don't take too much notice of it, it's still a very strong position for the government," she told Seven's Sunrise program on Monday.
But Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce said it was due to cost of living concerns that some voters had turned away from the government.
"Power prices, food prices, fuel prices, rent, the Labor Party seems to be oblivious to that, and the polls are now reflecting their oblivion."
© AAP 2023