The Australian Labor Party saw its primary vote fall in Victoria, Western Australia, and South Australia according to recent Newspoll data [1].
These results signal a significant challenge for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (Labor) as the party faces upcoming state elections in November. The decline in support across three Labor-governed states suggests a broadening trend of voter dissatisfaction that could impact the government's legislative agenda and stability.
In Victoria, the decline in the primary vote was particularly sharp. Support dropped from 35 percent in December 2025 [1] to 28 percent by the end of June 2026 [1]. This downward trend reflects a struggle to maintain the party's base in a critical electoral stronghold.
The polling also highlights a personal slump for the prime minister. Anthony Albanese's approval rating has dropped to minus 14 [1]. This shift comes as the government grapples with a surge in support for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation and general public discontent [2, 3].
Analysts said the decline is linked to a combination of policy frustrations and the fallout from the prime minister's recent personal revelations [3]. The convergence of these factors has created a difficult environment for the administration as it attempts to stabilize its standing ahead of the November contests [1].
While the government continues to manage national priorities, the localized drops in Victoria, Western Australia, and South Australia indicate a vulnerability to right-wing populist movements [2]. The loss of ground in these specific regions threatens the party's ability to maintain a cohesive national mandate.
“Labor primary vote in Victoria dropped from 35 percent in December 2025 to 28 percent by the end of June 2026.”
The decline in primary votes across three key states suggests that the Albanese government is losing its grip on the suburban and regional demographics that typically secure Labor victories. With the rise of One Nation, the party is facing a fragmented electorate where traditional working-class voters may be shifting toward populist alternatives. This volatility creates a precarious path toward the November state elections, potentially forcing the federal government to pivot its policy priorities to stem the losses.
