Guilt by association as NSW politicians take a dive along with national parties

July 20, 2026 — 5:40am

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At first glance, the latest Resolve Political Monitor presents two conflicting sets of numbers.

The primary vote of both major parties is in major decline. Almost half of voters polled say they would cast their ballot for a minor party or independent if an election was held today, and the combined Labor and Liberal vote is lower than it’s been since tracking began in November 2021.

And yet, on the flip side, both party leaders – Premier Chris Minns and the opposition leader Kellie Sloane – are fairly popular. Minns has a net likeability rating of 18, Sloane’s is 8. The premier in particular compares well to other Labor leaders. Anthony Albanese has a net likeability rating of -15. Jacinta Allen’s in Victoria is -36.

Likeability – obviously – doesn’t necessarily translate to voter preference. But it helps to explain why politics in NSW is quickly becoming a game of guilt by association.

Both parties believe their soft vote is the result of contamination from their unpopular federal counterparts, and are seeking to set up the........

© The Sydney Morning Herald