⁍ Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s approval rating has risen slightly.

---

⁍ Steps by the conservative government to tackle the coronavirus pandemic helped to maintain his popularity.

---

⁍ Morrison also recovered ground as the preferred prime minister after a dip in the previous poll.

---

– Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s approval rating is up slightly, Reuters reports. A Newspoll conducted for the Australian newspaper shows Morrison’s performance rating rose a percentage point to 65% from a month earlier. A Newspoll conducted for the Australian newspaper shows Morrison’s performance rating rose a percentage point to 65% from a month earlier, just short of highs of 68% in June and July. Morrison also recovered ground as the preferred prime minister after a dip in the previous poll, with the number of people supporting him nudging a point higher to 59%. steps taken by Australia’s federal government have helped the country to record far fewer COVID-19 infections and deaths than many other developed countries, although the restrictions have taken a steep toll on the economy. The government introduced a wage subsidy scheme and other initiatives to help protect jobs and support the economy, boosting Morrison’s popularity. The lift in ratings follows a decision last week to raise the number of citizens allowed to return home each week to 6,000, while a second wave of coronavirus infections in Victoria state has been easing.