Newspoll: The Coalition regains ground with voters

MALCOLM Turnbull has gained his biggest personal lead over Bill Shorten since last year’s election, the latest Newspoll shows.

Malcolm Turnbull has widened the gap between himself and Bill Shorten as the preferred prime minister. Picture: AAP/Richard Wainwright

AS the second anniversary of Tony Abbott’s ousting as prime minister approaches, Malcolm Turnbull’s government is inching higher in the polls, but public opinion continues to remain in favour of the Labor Party.

On a two-party preferred basis the coalition rose to 47 per cent to Labor’s 53, the latest Newspoll in The Australian shows, up from a previous 46 to 54 per cent.

Mr Turnbull replaced Mr Abbott as leader in September 2015, claiming at the time the loss of 30 consecutive Newspolls was part of his justification.

Malcolm Turnbull has widened the gap between himself and Bill Shorten as the preferred prime minister. Picture: AAP/Richard Wainwright

Today’s Newspoll is the 19th poll in a row where Labor has been ahead of the government, The Australian reported.

There was also improvement in the primary vote, with the Coalition edging a point higher to 37 per cent, while Labor held steady at 38.

Despite his government’s lack of public support Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull overall remains Australia’s preferred leader, at 46 per cent to Opposition Leader Bill Shorten’s 29 per cent.

Malcolm Turnbull remains Australia’s preferred leader over Opposition Leader Bill Shorten. Picture: Peter Ristevski.

Read more at The Australian .

Originally published as Newspoll: The Coalition regains ground with voters