UPDATE: A staggering 5 million Australians, nearly half of previous coalition voters, are abandoning the federal coalition, sparking a critical review of its electoral strategies. New findings from the Blueprint Institute reveal that over 66 percent of voters would not consider backing the coalition in a future federal election.
According to a commissioned YouGov poll conducted in July 2023, only 16 percent of former supporters believe the coalition is serious about addressing climate change. The report emphasizes the urgent need for the coalition to broaden its appeal beyond its traditional base if it hopes to regain government.
“This disconnect from the electorate is alarming,” stated Lachlan Crombie, co-founder of the Blueprint Institute. “The coalition must attract voters who feel it no longer represents their values.” The analysis indicates that a significant portion of former coalition voters—44 percent—are now disillusioned with the party’s stance on climate change, renewable energy, and housing affordability.
The report highlights the coalition’s struggle to connect with young families and full-time workers in their twenties to forties. These demographics, once loyal supporters, now view the coalition as out of touch with modern Australian values. “Four in five ex-coalition voters and over 70 percent of independent voters agree that the coalition needs a more comprehensive policy suite to regain their trust,” the report stated.
Climate change policies emerged as a critical area for improvement. More than half of former coalition voters expressed a desire for the party to reaffirm its commitment to a net-zero emissions target by 2050. However, internal divisions within the coalition complicate this issue, with more conservative members pushing to scrap this goal altogether.
Despite these setbacks, the coalition maintains some support in areas like economic management and national security, aligning with the priorities of its former base. However, the growing sentiment among voters is that the coalition must evolve to address pressing issues facing Australians today.
As the coalition grapples with its identity, the urgency for change could not be clearer. The upcoming months will be pivotal as party leaders seek to re-engage disenchanted voters. Watch for potential policy shifts and leadership strategies aimed at reversing this alarming trend.
The coalition’s struggle highlights a broader narrative of political discontent across Australia, reflecting a critical moment in the country’s electoral landscape. As voter preferences shift, only time will tell if the coalition can adapt and rebuild its fractured support.
