(March 31): Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has seen a jump in support for his government, following the start of the country's election campaign, boosting the centre-left Labor party’s chances of holding power in a vote scheduled for May 3.

A Newspoll survey released by The Australian newspaper on Sunday found Albanese’s government had pulled ahead of the Liberal-National opposition by 51% to 49%, its strongest result in nine months, with the prime minister’s personal approval rating also improving.

In the last survey in mid-March, Newspoll found Labor was trailing the centre-right opposition by 49% to 51%.

Polls by Resolve, YouGov and Redbridge found similar results in surveys published in recent days, the first tranche of polling released since Albanese kicked off a five-week election campaign last Friday. The Australian leader is fighting to become the first in more than two decades to win consecutive terms in office, a symptom of the country’s long-running political instability.

With a slim majority of just a handful of seats, Albanese has little leeway as he campaigns for a second term.

The government has been languishing in the polls for months, with Australians frustrated over a cost-of-living crisis sparked by sticky inflation and high interest rates. However, following the first easing by the Reserve Bank in February, the polls have begun to turn in Albanese’s favour.

While the 2022 election campaign which saw Labor returned to power revolved heavily around climate action, political integrity and Indigenous rights, the current contest is all about voters’ hip pockets.

In a budget released last week, Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced surprise tax cuts for every voter, reducing the lowest tax bracket to 14% by 2027. The Coalition has said they would wind that back if they win power, and instead cut the fuel excise.

On Sunday, Albanese said he would ban price gouging by supermarkets if re-elected at the May 3 vote. 

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