Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addresses new poll placing Labor behind the coalition

Federal Labor is running behind the coalition in the polls, as Australians continue to worry about the cost of living and interest rates.

On a two-party preferred basis, the government is on 49 per cent against 51 per cent for the opposition, the Australian Financial Review/Freshwater Strategy poll shows.

Labor’s primary vote was 32 per cent, against 41 per cent for the coalition, with the Greens on 12 per cent.

Asked about the poll on Monday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Labor was focused on the needs of the Australian people.

“So these are challenging times, but we’re determined to get it right, and we’re determined to continue to be focused, not on the politics of division,” he told ABC radio.

“We’ll leave that to (Opposition Leader) Peter Dutton, we’re determined to focus on the needs of the Australian people. “

The poll of 1061 voters was taken between Friday and Sunday, after the return of federal parliament last week.

The week was dominated by a rise in the unemployment rate, a warning from the central bank that it’s unlikely to cut interest rates any time soon and conflicts in parliament between Labor and the coalition over refugee visas, gambling reforms and the CFMEU.

The poll also surveyed voters on their key issues.

Asked who would better manage cost-of-living pressures, 35 per cent of voters nominated the coalition with 28 per cent stumping for Labor and 37 per cent unsure.

The result was similar when voters were asked which major party would be better at managing the overall economy.

But asked about their preferred prime minister, 45 per cent of voters nominated Mr Albanese, with 41 per cent for Mr Dutton and 11 per cent for neither.