Poll shows hit to Coalition vote over Covid handling and health funding

Federal health minister Greg Hunt. An Essential poll has found Coalition voters are dissatisfied with the government’s performance on health funding. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

Health and the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic are a significant drag on the Coalition vote, with one in three Australians less likely to vote for the Morrison government due to the level of public hospital funding, according to new polling.

An Essential poll, commissioned by the Australian Medical Association, found voters who had traditionally supported the Coalition on health and hospital funding were now deserting them. Support in this key area had dropped, with 34% now questioning the government’s record.