Voters turn on ‘arrogant’ Malcolm Turnbull, Bill Shorten

Australian voters have labelled Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten “arrogant” and increasingly untrustworthy in dismal Newspoll results out today.

The prime minister has recorded the lowest approval rating in nine years — even lower than his dumped predecessor Tony Abbott — while Shorten is feeling the backlash from the bungled Mediscare campaign.

While it was hoped the government’s ‘Labor-like’ budget rollout would boost Turnbull’s camaraderie with voters, his arrogance score has risen from 60 to 64 over the past year, The Australian reports. 

Mr Shorten’s rose from 47 to 50 per cent.

The PM is also seen as less trustworthy than before the July election, with his rating falling from 56 to 50 per cent, while voters scaled back their respect for his understanding of the major issues, down from 63 to 57 per cent.

Likewise, Shorten’s trustworthiness rating fell from 49 to 44 per cent.

The disappointing results are worrying for both men considering leaders have been dumped for much less.

Turnbull cited Abbott’s poor ratings performance when he took over the government, promising a different kind of leadership based on trust and stability.

In a bright spot for the Opposition, yesterday’s Newspoll showed Labor has kept its lead over the Coalition of 53 per cent to 47 per cent in two-party terms.

It marks the 13th poll in a row the government has lost to Labor.

Do you think Malcolm Turnbull will survive the term? Do we need new leaders in both parties? Or do you like both men?