Labor has had a slight reprieve in the polls after a tumultuous end to the year, regaining its lead over the coalition in the latest Newspoll. 

Labor leads the coalition 52 per cent to 48 per cent on a two-party-preferred basis, up from a previous 50-50 split, the poll published in The Australian on Monday shows. 

But the coalition still leads Labor on the primary vote, 36 per cent to 33 per cent.

Labor’s primary vote is six points lower compared to the same time last year while the coalition is up five points from its lowest point in this term of government, which was in September 2022. 

Greens support was steady at 13 per cent while One Nation recorded a one-point increase to seven per cent and support for the minor parties and ­independents category fell one point to 11 per cent.

Both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton registered an increase in the number of people satisfied with their performance. 

Mr Albanese’s approval ratings rose two points to 42 per cent and Mr Dutton also gained a two-point rise in approval to 39 per cent.

But Mr Albanese’s net approval remains in the red at minus eight, down from a high of 35 in mid-2022.

Mr Dutton’s net approval is slightly worse at minus nine.

Net approval is determined by subtracting dissatisfaction from satisfaction rates.

Labor would continue to roll out cost of living relief and fresh ideas, Mr Albanese said.

When questioned about the polling, he pointed to inflation affecting the international economy as being a major driver of cost of living pressures and spruiked the creation of 700,000 new jobs.

“I note that during 2023, whilst our opponents opposed our measures to provide support on cost of living, they haven’t come up with a single proposal – they have nothing positive to offer,” he told ABC radio on Monday.

The long-term downward trend showed Labor had their priorities wrong, Liberal frontbencher Dan Tehan said.

“The prime minister’s popularity has come down and the government’s popularity has come down because they haven’t been focused on the issues that are important to the Australian people,” he told Sky News. 

“They haven’t prioritised cost of living. Real wages have gone down, your electricity bills have gone up, your insurance bills have gone up, interest rates have gone up.”

David Littleproud also pointed to the trend.

“Anthony Albanese had been focused all on the voice (referendum) this year rather than the cost of living crisis that Australians are feeling,” he said.

The survey of 1219 voters was conducted between December 11 and December 15.