The Coalition is celebrating the results of the latest Newspoll, despite more dismal figures for its leader Brendan Nelson.
The Opposition has narrowed the Rudd government's lead to 10 points, but Dr Nelson's up just two per cent as preferred prime minister.
Opposition frontbencher Tony Abbott says eventually, people will see what a great leader he really is.
“I don’t think anyone who’s worked closely with Brendan Nelson over the last six months could fail to be impressed,” he told.
“Because he’s worked incredibly hard and I think he’s made gutsy calls on a few key issues and I think people will come round.”
The latest Newspoll is another stark reality check for Prime Minister Kevin Rudd after the weekend's by-election defeat in Gippsland.
Support for the government has dropped to its lowest level since the November election with Labor now leading the opposition 55 per cent to 45 per cent in the two party preferred vote.
Kevin Rudd's rating as preferred Prime Minister has also taken a knock, falling four points to 64 per cent.
But while the Coalition has caught back some ground, Brendan Nelson's approval has remained static on 36 per cent.
