Kevin Rudd's popularity has soared, giving him the strongest lead over an opposition leader in 30 years, while Brendan Nelson battles with internal party politics.
The Opposition Leader's rating as preferred prime minister has actually improved since the last poll, up to 17 per cent, but it's cold comfort when Kevin Rudd is sitting on 70.
It's the biggest lead since the Herald Neilsen poll began in 1972 and puts extra pressure on Brendan Nelson, who's locked in a feud with Shadow Treasurer Malcolm Turnbull over the Budget reply promise to reduce the fuel excise by five cents a litre.
But it's not all good news for the government, with the response to the Budget lukewarm.
A Newspoll shows 29 per cent of voters believe they will be better off under the Budget, compared to 32 per cent who fear they will lose out.
Nationals leader Warren Truss says the latest figures are a positive for the Coalition.
"Well it's good to have polls - a bit of an improvement," he said.
"But we've still got a long way to go. Brendan Nelson I think is being more widely appreciated for his response to the Budget and the leadership that is being provide. But we've got a long way to go yet to get ahead of the government and we're going to keep working at it."