Australia government’s popularity could fall soon

Significance

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, leader of the Liberal-National coalition, is personally popular but the coalition's electoral appeal is limited because of its handling of the January bushfires and COVID-19. The latter has led to Australia’s first recession in 29 years.

Impacts

• Restoring Australian growth could be complicated by political and trade frictions with China.
• A smooth return to economic growth could see a federal election called shortly after August 2021.
• The by-election result maintains the government’s two-seat majority in the House of Representatives.