A majority of Australians have never heard of Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, including 49% of Labor supporters, a new poll has found.
According to the latest Newspoll, 54% of voters do not know who Mr Marles is, even though he is currently serving as Acting Prime Minister while Anthony Albanese is in Antigua and Barbuda for the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Among Labor supporters, 49% said they did not recognise Mr Marles, the Defence Minister and a powerbroker in the party’s right faction.
Health Minister Mark Butler was also unknown to 54% of voters, and 52% of Labor supporters, while one third of voters had not heard of Energy Minister Chris Bowen, and 20% had not heard of Treasurer Jim Chalmers.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong was the best known senior member of Cabinet, with only 11% of Australians not knowing who she is, and is also the most popular minister, with 38% of voters satisfied with her performance, according to the poll.
Mr Chalmers was the most unpopular, with 40% dissatisfied with his performance, followed by Mr Bowen and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke on 32% and 26% respectively.
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek was the second-most popular minister, but was unknown to 31% of voters.
The same poll found Labor’s primary vote has fallen to 27%, its equal lowest result during its current term of government, and one point off Labor’s 2011 record polling low of 26% under Julia Gillard.
One Nation had 28% of the vote, the Coalition 21%, the Greens 13%, and all others 11%.
Header image: Richard Marles with Anthony Albanese (Facebook).
