Newspoll: Anthony Albanese scores record approval rating for a new PM

Anthony Albanese has polled a record-breaking satisfaction rating for a new prime minister.

More than half of Australia is “satisfied” with the Labor leader, according to the first Newspoll — conducted for the Australian— since he swept to power in the Federal election on May 21.

It shows the PM’s satisfaction rating at 61 per cent -- the highest in a first post-election poll since the question was first posed under Bob Hawke’s leadership in 1985.

The last time anyone came close was when former Labor PM Kevin Rudd recorded a satisfaction rating of 59 per cent in 2007.

Scott Morrison recorded a satisfaction rating of 51 per cent following the 2019 election, while John Howard and Mr Hawke both recorded satisfaction levels in the high 50s.

Labor’s primary vote has risen almost five points on its election result of 32.6 per cent to 37 per cent, showing solid approval from voters on the performance of the government in its first two months in­ office.

However, the party’s primary vote is still down on the high watermark 41 per cent it reached before the election campaign was underway.

Mr Albanese has also recorded the largest margin as a preferred prime minister since 2008 with a 59-25 lead over new Liberal leader Peter Dutton.

The Coalition has also fallen almost three points to 33 per cent after coming out of the election at 35.7 per cent.

It represents the lowest primary vote for the Liberals/Nationals since 2018, just prior to the leadership change from Malcolm Turnbull to Mr Morrison.