Andrews’ popularity plunges after Games decision: poll
Support for the Victorian government and Premier Daniel Andrews has plunged after the cancellation of Commonwealth Games, a new poll shows, as the state opposition demands the resignation of deputy premier Jacinta Allan, who was in charge of the event.
More voters now disapprove of Mr Andrews performance than approve of it, for the first time since he was elected premier in 2014, according to the Roy Morgan poll of more than 1000 Victorians on Wednesday and Thursday.
The snap poll found that support for Victorian Labor fell to 53 per cent (down 8.5 percentage points since late May) compared to the LNP Coalition on 47 per cent (up 8.5 percentage points) on a two-party preferred basis.
The result is despite 58 per cent of Victorian electors saying the decision to cancel the 2026 Commonwealth Games was a “good idea” and 42 per cent saying it was a “bad idea”.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended the state funeral of former Labor leader Simon Crean on Thursday alongside Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews. Eddie Jim
But the decision has hit the premier’s popularity, making him politically vulnerable for the first time in his career and putting the Liberals back into the next election race.
The poll showed 55 per cent of respondents now disapprove of Mr Andrews’ job performance – the first time since he became premier a majority have disapproved of him – compared to 45 per cent that approve.
Mr Andrews announced on Tuesday that Victoria would drop the 12-day Games, set to be held in regional hubs including Bendigo, Ballarat, Shepparton and Geelong, after saying the cost had blown out from $2.6 billion to $7 billion.
Ms Allan was the Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery. She is also in charge of the Suburban Rail Loop, a
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