New research from GetUp, a progressive campaigning group with over 350,000 members across Australia, confirms that a record number of voters have turned away from the Prime Minister this month.

For the first time since the Prime Minister was elected, the past two months have seen the PM’s unfavourability rating amongst GetUp members exceed his favourability rating (43% favourable versus 57% unfavourable).

“GetUp members are very politically active; they are far more likely to volunteer and to donate for the politicians they support, and they’re opinion leaders in their communities” said GetUp National Director, Simon Sheikh.

By contrast, Malcolm Turnbull has picked up support, with favourability increasing from 30% in February 2008 to 47% in May 2010. GetUp members now see Malcolm Turnbull in a more positive light than the Prime Minister (47% for Mr Turnbull, 43% for Mr Rudd).

“These results show that the Prime Minister’s backflip on climate change has hurt across the board. Malcolm Turnbull is the only senior MP who has stood up for emissions trading recently, and his popularity has only gone up.”

Progressive voters are also becoming increasingly supportive of Senator Nick Xenophon. Where his favourability rating was 28% in March 2008, with an unfavourable rating of 72%, in May 2010 he commands a favourability rating of 41% and his unfavourability amongst GetUp members has dropped to 59%.

The survey of over 500 members of GetUp is conducted each month. See the attached report for full results.