Australian Voter Poll Reveals Deepening Concerns Over Immigration and Crime
A comprehensive new survey has uncovered escalating public anxiety regarding immigration and crime across Australia, with these issues appearing to drive a significant shift in political support toward the One Nation party. The Freshwater Strategy poll, which interviewed 1,050 voters, indicates that traditional party loyalties are being tested as economic pressures and social concerns reshape the political landscape.
Crime and Immigration Emerge as Top Voter Worries
The research demonstrates that crime and social disorder represent the foremost concern for almost one in three Australians, with this issue dominating the national conversation. Meanwhile, immigration and asylum matters trouble twenty-seven per cent of respondents, revealing a substantial portion of the electorate focused on border policies and population management.
These mounting apprehensions coincide with a remarkable surge in support for Pauline Hanson's One Nation party. Since the last federal election, the party's primary vote has climbed thirteen percentage points to reach nineteen per cent, positioning it as a formidable force in Australian politics. This upward trajectory is further confirmed by recent Newspoll data, which placed One Nation one point ahead of the Coalition—marking an unprecedented moment where a minor party has overtaken a major political bloc.
Political Landscape Shows Major Party Decline
The current political standings show Labor maintaining a lead with thirty-three per cent of the primary vote, while the Liberal-National Coalition holds twenty-eight per cent. The Greens secure eleven per cent, with other parties and independents claiming nine per cent. On a two-party-preferred basis, Labor commands fifty-three per cent against the Coalition's forty-seven per cent, though this traditional measure may be losing relevance as minor parties gain ground.
Perhaps most telling are the favourability ratings, where One Nation now enjoys a net positive rating of four per cent. Party leader Pauline Hanson performs even more strongly at six per cent, surpassing both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at minus nine per cent and Opposition Leader Sussan Ley at minus five per cent. This personal popularity suggests Hanson's visibility, particularly following last month's Bondi Beach terror attack, has kept her firmly in the public consciousness.
Widespread Dissatisfaction with Migration Levels
The survey highlights profound public discontent with current migration approaches, with two-thirds of voters—approximately sixty-six per cent—believing Australia is accepting too many migrants. This sentiment transcends traditional party lines, being shared by more than half of both Labor and Coalition supporters. Furthermore, seventy-five per cent advocate for a temporary migration cap until housing and infrastructure can adequately accommodate population growth, while eighty-one per cent demand tougher background checks and character assessments for visa applicants.
Attitudes toward migration remain sharply polarised along political lines. Over fifty per cent of Labor and Greens voters maintain that migration benefits the economy, whereas sixty-five per cent of One Nation supporters believe it damages economic performance. Coalition voters appear almost evenly divided on this contentious issue, reflecting broader national uncertainty.
Broader Economic Concerns and Political Outlook
Despite the focus on immigration and crime, cost of living pressures continue to dominate as the country's primary worry, troubling sixty-six per cent of respondents. A majority of fifty-three per cent believe Australia is heading in the wrong direction, indicating widespread pessimism about national governance and policy direction.
Looking forward, forty-four per cent anticipate the economy will deteriorate over the next twelve months, with only twenty-five per cent expecting improvement. When considering personal financial circumstances, thirty-five per cent predict they will be worse off in a year, twenty-nine per cent expect improvement, and thirty-four per cent believe their situation will remain unchanged.
In leadership preferences, Anthony Albanese retains an advantage as preferred prime minister with forty-five per cent support compared to Sussan Ley's thirty-two per cent. However, this traditional metric may be losing significance as voter priorities shift toward specific policy concerns rather than personality politics.
The poll's findings align with recent results from Newspoll and Resolve Political Monitor, collectively painting a picture of rising support for One Nation alongside declining numbers for established major parties. This political realignment suggests Australian voters are increasingly willing to look beyond traditional party structures when addressing their core concerns about security, sovereignty, and economic stability.
