Political commentator Peter van Onselen has delivered a scathing assessment of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s leadership, arguing that Australians are sending a “clear message” of dissatisfaction that the PM is stubbornly ignoring.

Writing in The Australian, van Onselen pointed to the latest Newspoll figures showing Labor’s primary vote has slipped to 32%, its lowest since the 2022 election, while the Coalition has surged to 37%. Albanese’s approval rating has fallen to 38%, with 55% of voters now disapproving of his performance.

The poll, conducted in the wake of the tragic Bondi Junction stabbing on April 13, 2024, which claimed seven lives, reflects a dramatic shift in public mood. Van Onselen argues the incident, coupled with ongoing cost-of-living pressures, crime concerns, and perceived government inaction on key issues, has crystallised voter frustration.

“We’re sending Albo a clear message,” van Onselen wrote. “He just refuses to listen. Australians are fed up with excuses, broken promises, and a government that seems more interested in spin than solutions.”

The commentator highlighted several flashpoints: the failure to deliver meaningful cost-of-living relief, the slow rollout of promised housing measures, and the lingering anger over the handling of the Voice referendum and subsequent political turbulence. “Bondi was the tipping point,” he claimed. “People saw a government that seemed paralysed when decisive action was needed.”

Van Onselen noted that Albanese’s personal ratings have collapsed, with 62% of voters believing the country is heading in the wrong direction — the highest figure since Labor took office. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, by contrast, has climbed to 45% approval, narrowing the gap significantly.

The piece comes as Labor faces mounting pressure ahead of the 2026 election. Insiders admit the government has struggled to regain momentum after a bruising 2024, with internal polling reportedly showing even worse numbers in key marginal seats.

Van Onselen concluded with a blunt warning: “The Australian people are not angry — they’re exhausted. And when voters are exhausted, they look for change. The PM can keep pretending everything is fine, but the numbers don’t lie. He’s out of touch, and the electorate is ready to make him pay for it.”

As the new year approaches, the Bondi tragedy continues to cast a long shadow, with many Australians demanding stronger leadership on crime, security, and economic relief. Whether Albanese can turn the tide remains to be seen — but van Onselen’s verdict is clear: the message from voters is unmistakable, and it’s growing louder every day.