Polls show Turnbull's party is neck-and-neck with the center-left Labor Party, but voters also say they prefer him as prime minister over opposition leader Bill Shorten. He led the Australian Republican Movement, which argues for severing Australia's constitutional ties with Britain and appointing an Australian citizen as president. The subsequent slide in Turnbull's public support could be partly explained by the high expectations when he took office, said Australian National University political scientist John Wanna. Turnbull has long battled a public perception that his wealth puts him out of touch with ordinary folk. Turnbull has been hamstrung by promises he made to the party's conservative members to ensure their support when he challenged Abbott.
Source: ABC News May 07, 2016 23:45 UTC