Brendan Nelson has talked up the political record of Peter Costello as rumours of a future leadership tilt continue.
Coalition voters say they'd like Mr Costello to take the party into the next election rather than Dr Nelson.
The Opposition Leader claims he's not taking notice of the survey, but says the former treasurer has shown brilliant leadership in the past.
"Australians and Australian families that look at their children going from school to uni - or TAFEs and apprenticeships - into jobs owe Peter Costello an enormous debt," he said.
"[A debt] for what he's done over the last 12 years in particular, but [also] throughout his public life to make Australia the country that it is today."
A Newspoll out today shows 38 per cent of Coalition supporters favour a Costello-led party, with Malcolm Turnbull as deputy, versus 26 per cent who opted for the current team of Nelson and Julie Bishop.