With election day a best kept secret, polling is telling us that Treasurer Jim Chalmers is Labor’s best election asset, while his opposite number, Angus Taylor has a “who’s he?” rating, even by his party’s own supporters.

The Dail Telegraph has exclusively released polling that might make the Treasurer feel OK but his government has to feel vulnerable.

Here are the takeaways from the Redbridge polling survey:

1. One in four voters are not Chalmers fans.
2. 20% had never heard of him, which says more about these voters than the Treasurer.
3. But it’s not all bad news because only 14% had a very unfavourable view and 11% had a mostly unfavourable view!
4. 26% were neutral on Chalmers.
5. One in five who rated him favourably owned their own homes.
6. 22% of renters weren’t fans of the Treasurer.
7. 47% of voters had never heard of Opposition treasury spokesman, Angus Taylor.

Kos Samaras, polling expert and director of Redbridge, thinks Taylor’s lack of recognition isn’t a plus for the Coalition. Those who’ll be asking “who is that guy?” could see him as a risk to the economy.

Samaras says Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has a “big negative performance measure”. Under those circumstances, Chalmers could be Labor’s great hope, though I’m sure he’d love to see a rate cut in April to add to his ‘glow’ in the eyes of voters.

The pundits say April 12 is emerging as a likely date for the election. Ironically, the next decision day on interest rates for the Reserve Bank is April 1 — April Fool’s Day!

According to the ASX’s RBA Rate Indicator tracker, there’s a 14% chance of a rate cut on April 1. However, many economists are betting May will bring the next cut. However, the central bank doesn’t meet until 19-20 May and the latest date the Government can pencil in an election is May 17.

While Chalmers will be sweating on a rate cut, that’s unlikely to happen. And as for Taylor, he needs to embark on a “look at me, look at me” marketing campaign!