Pollster & Strategist · Sydney & London
Dr. MichaelTurner
A pollster, strategist and entrepreneur, working on complex regulatory, public policy and corporate strategy challenges across the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
A reputation for best-in-class advice, analysis & insights.
Michael is an entrepreneur, pollster and strategist specialising in high-stakes regulatory, public policy and corporate strategy challenges.
Having served as chief pollster on major national and state election campaigns across the UK, Australia and New Zealand, he brings a focus on clear, evidence-based political and commercial decision-making.
Alongside building and scaling firms like Freshwater Strategy and PollStream, Michael is a recognised voice in public affairs, having authored dozens of pieces for major international mastheads and appearing regularly across television networks to provide real-time commentary and insight on politics, elections and social issues.
Michael is highly creative, providing engaging and relatable analysis, backed by robust data, to bring a powerful impact to his work.
Track record.
Chief pollster and strategist on pivotal national, state and local campaigns across the UK, Australia and New Zealand, trusted to turn rigorous data into winning strategy across the political spectrum.
- 2025
Australian Federal Election
Chief pollster for the Liberal Party of Australia and the National Party of Australia.
WA State Election
Chief pollster for the WA Liberal Party.
Auckland Mayoral Election
Chief pollster and strategist for Wayne Brown.
- 2024
Queensland State Election
Chief pollster and strategist for the Queensland LNP.
Landslide election win for the LNP.
Brisbane City Council Election
Chief pollster and strategist for Team Schrinner / Queensland LNP.
Historic 5th term secured, retaining administration amid a shifting voter landscape.
Tasmania State Election
Chief pollster for the Tasmanian Liberals.
ACT Territory Election
Chief pollster for the Canberra Liberals.
- 2022
Australian Federal Election
Chief pollster for the Liberal Party of Australia.
Auckland Mayoral Election
Chief pollster and strategist for Wayne Brown.
- 2020
New Zealand General Election
Chief pollster and strategist for the National Party.
Queensland State Election
Chief pollster and strategist for the Queensland LNP.
ACT Territory Election
Chief pollster for the Canberra Liberals.
- 2019
Australian Federal Election
Chief pollster for the Liberal Party of Australia.
Historic ‘miracle win’ for the Liberals.
UK General Election
Research for the UK Conservative Party.
NSW State Election
Chief pollster and strategist for the NSW Liberal Party.
Historic 3rd term coming from behind in the campaign.
- 2017
UK General Election
Chief pollster for UK Labour as Head of Polling at BMG Research.
Engineered one of the largest and most rapid campaign swings in modern British electoral history, defying a 20-point deficit to secure 40% of the vote.
- 2015
UK General Election
Pollster for the Liberal Democrats.
UK General Election
Pollster for UKIP.
- 2014
UK European Election
Pollster for UKIP.
Recognition & affiliations.
Royal Statistical Society
Fellow · London
Adam Smith Institute
Fellow · Public Policy
University of Plymouth
PhD · The Elections Centre
Market Research Society
Certified Member · MRS
Ventures.
Consultancy · Co-founder
Freshwater Strategy
Campaigns, advisory, research & strategy
A premier campaigns, consulting and advisory firm. It combines robust research, high-level advisory and media solutions to help corporate leaders, regulators and political campaigns navigate complex policy challenges and change outcomes when the stakes are highest.
Public affairs intelligence platform · Co-founder
PollStream
Intelligence on public opinion and the public narrative
A comprehensive public intelligence and polling platform designed for campaigns, public affairs and corporate strategy, combining real-time media monitoring with instant, audit-ready public opinion data across 120+ markets.
Latest opinion & analysis.
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