Voter support for the federal government has risen by three percentage points in three weeks, according to the latest Newspoll. That’s higher than the February poll, which showed the Coalition on 45% and Labor on 55%. Malcolm Turnbull remains the preferred prime minister over the Labor leader, Bill Shorten, at 43% to 29% respectively. This result leaves Coalition MPs, who continue to support a plebiscite as the only means to decide the issue, out of step with constituents. The Liberal party’s primary vote dropped 2% and Labor dropped 1% in the Guardian Essential poll, with Labor continuing to lead the Coalition on a two-party-preferred basis by 53% to 47%.

Source: The Guardian March 19, 2017 19:55 UTC