The future is looking increasingly grim for the Morrison government as the Coalition’s approval rating plunges below Labor’s for the first time in more than two years.

According to the latest Newspoll, the Coalition’s primary vote has fallen to 36 per cent – the party’s lowest result since March 2019 and more than two points below its May 2019 election result.

Meanwhile, support for Labor jumped up to 40 per cent – the party’s best score since December 2018.

The Coalition’s devastating result emerges as fear and anger about the spread of the Delta variant, states’ ongoing lockdowns, and a lack of vaccine supply takes hold of the country.

If an election happened right now, 54 per cent of the vote would go to Labor, while only 46 per cent would go to the Coalition.

This marks Labor’s largest lead over the government since before the last election and, if replicated at the new election, would lead to a resounding loss for the Morrison government. 

Between Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese, half of Australians say they think Mr Morrison would make a better leader. Photo / NCA Newswire.

But it’s not all doom and gloom for the Prime Minister.

While Australians are increasingly dissatisfied with Mr Morrison’s political party, his approval as a leader has shot up slightly.

Between Mr Morrison and Labor leader Anthony Albanese, half of Australians think Mr Morrison is a better leader, while only 34 per cent put their money on Mr Albanese.

This reflects a 1 per cent increase in confidence for Mr Morrison on the previous Newspoll in July and a 2 per cent decrease for Mr Albanese.

Mr Morrison’s highest approval rating this year has been 59 per cent.

The Australian’s Newspoll was conducted from August 25 to 28 and polled 1528 voters across metropolitan and regional areas.

Text by Helena Burke, news.com.au