Full Breakdown
One Nation Surges in Poll as Albanese Popularity Plummets
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
A new poll released in late September 2026 shows Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party overtaking the Australian Labor Party (ALP) for the lead in the primary vote. The poll, conducted on September 27-28, 2026, recorded One Nation at 29 percent, Labor at 28 percent, and the Liberal-National Coalition at 21 percent. In the two-party-preferred count, Labor retained a narrow lead of 52 to 48 percent. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s net favourability fell to -27, while Treasurer Dr Jim Chalmers registered -23. The Coalition leader Angus Taylor posted a net rating of -6, and Hanson’s own net favourability improved to -10.
Data & Statistics
- Primary vote: One Nation 29 % | Labor 28 % | Coalition 21 % (poll, Sept 27-28, 2026)
- Two-party-preferred: Labor 52 % | Coalition 48 %
- Net favourability: Albanese -27 | Chalmers -23 | Taylor -6 | Hanson -10
- Issue rankings: One Nation led on cost of living, housing affordability, immigration and crime; the Coalition led on economic management, tax reform and national security; Labor was preferred only on healthcare.
Official Statements & Responses
The Albanese government has signalled tighter fiscal discipline in response to rising interest rates and household cost pressures. Treasury officials indicated that the upcoming mid-year budget update will prioritize additional savings rather than new spending.
Why It Matters
The poll marks the first time a minor party has eclipsed Labor in a nationwide primary-vote snapshot, reflecting a broader “populist revolt” in Australian politics. Voter concerns about economic management dominate the landscape, with the Reserve Bank’s recent rate hike to 4.6 percent—its highest in fifteen years—underscoring the financial backdrop. The shift suggests that traditional party loyalties are eroding, and that policy debates on cost of living, housing and immigration may dominate the next election cycle.
What’s Next
Treasurer Dr Jim Chalmers has indicated that the mid-year budget update, due in roughly 10 to 11 weeks, will contain further savings measures. The timing aligns with the government’s effort to signal fiscal responsibility amid voter anxiety over the economy.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Labor’s vote share is back to its lowest recorded level. The current political challenge for Labor is that the cash register never lies and voters will rarely reward a government when they are feeling poorer,” — RedBridge
- “I can make it really clear – there will be more savings in the mid-year update, that is at most 10 or 11 weeks away,” — Treasurer Dr Jim Chalmers