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

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.

The poll of 1,069 voters was conducted from 3 to 6 February, before a torrid parliamentary fortnight in which the Morrison government dropped its religious discrimination bill and pivoted to national security to recover its poor standing in the polls.

On Friday states and territories reiterated their demand for the commonwealth to provide 50% of public hospital funding, up from 45%, and abandon a 6.5% growth cap on health funding.

States believe the cost-sharing deal struck during the Covid-19 pandemic is not fit-for-purpose now coronavirus is circulating in the community, as it does not keep up with increased staffing costs, PPE and expected new demand from delayed care and long-Covid.

Despite the pressure from the states in the lead-up to the 2022 election, the AMA is yet to secure a commitment from either side of politics for 50-50 funding, with Labor more focused on GP and specialist out-of-pocket costs.

The federal health minister, Greg Hunt, has again rejected calls for more funding, citing the federal contribution to health growing by 92% between 2012-13 and 2020-21, compared with state increases of 44%.

The Essential poll showed the Coalition was also losing votes on economic management and online safety.