Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™ LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Polls narrow amid national security talk

Prime Minister Scott Morrison's grip on power will be tested again as soon as federal parliament returns.

Scott Morrison (right) speaks to Defence Minister Christopher Pyne

PM Scott Morrison (R) with Defence Minister Christopher Pyne during Question Time. Source: AAP

Scott Morrison's control of parliament will be tested again when Labor pushes for stronger legal protections for small businesses, as well as a crack down on payday lenders and rent-to-buy schemes.

The coalition government suffered an embarrassing loss last week over asylum seeker medical transfers, and history could be repeated when federal parliament returns on Monday.

Legislative changes making it easier for small businesses to legally challenge corporate giants could be the next problem for the prime minister.

Small businesses would be able to apply in court to avoid paying the legal costs of blue chip firms, even if they lose the case.

Shadow assistant treasurer Andrew Leigh believes several National Party MPs could cross the floor to support the proposal, and is confident it will pass.

"I think it's got support from Nationals who have been agitating internally since 2016 when Labor announced this policy," he told AAP on Sunday.

"They recognise the benefits for their constituents of being able to take on the big end of town without risking being bankrupted by the other side's legal costs."

But last week's win in Canberra doesn't seem to have helped Labor with voters.

The ALP's lead over the coalition has been cut to the slimmest of margins, according to an opinion poll conducted as debate raged over border protection.

Labor leads the Morrison government 51 to 49 on a two-party preferred basis in the latest Ipsos poll published by the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age newspapers on Sunday night.


2 min read

Published

By Saleem Al-Fahad



Share this with family and friends


News

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS Arabic

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our exclusive in-language podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

Arabic Collection

Watch SBS On Demand

Watch now