Former opposition leader Brendan Nelson, replaced this week by Malcolm Turnbull, failed to make any significant impression on the electorate, the latest Morgan poll confirms.
The poll of 1,703 voters, conducted over two weekends earlier this month, placed Labor well ahead of the coalition despite some modest gains.
Pollster Gary Morgan said if a federal election was held today, the ALP would win according to these results.
He said the decision by the Liberal Party to elect Mr Turnbull as its new leader earlier this week gave the party a chance to redefine itself in the minds of the electorate and provide the government with some renewed opposition.
"Our latest poll shows Dr Nelson was making little impression on the electorate, with the Liberal Party trailing 44.5 per cent to 55.5 per cent on a two-party preferred basis," he said in a statement.
The Morgan poll showed support for Labor at 45 per cent - down five per cent - and support for the coalition at 38 per cent - up one.
That was consistent with polling since the election last year with Labor support varying but staying well ahead of the coalition.ose at $13.08 on Friday.
