Tony Abbott, Bill Shorten unpopular with voters: Newspoll

NEITHER of these men are popular right now, with the latest opinion poll showing only 27 per cent of people are happy with Bill Shorten, and Tony Abbott faring only slightly better.

They might be all smiles, but neither leader is popular with voters. Picture: Toby Zerna

VOTER despair over national political leadership is again being highlighted by an authoritative opinion poll showing increased unhappiness with both Tony Abbott and Bill Shorten.

The performances of Prime Minister Abbott and Labor leader Shorten continue to be marked down with three in five voters wanting improvements, according to a Newspoll in today’s The Australian.

Mr Abbott is marginally ahead on satisfaction — 33 per cent to Mr Shorten’s 27 per cent.

However, the findings from the survey at the weekend show dissatisfaction with both men has steadily climbed since the May Budget, moving from 52 per cent to 60 per cent for Mr Abbott and 50 per cent to 59 per cent for Mr Shorten.

The ALP is relieved, in the short term at least, on two fronts.

The poll was the first since Mr Shorten’s two days of evidence before the trade union royal commission and his standing had been expected to suffer from that appearance. Labor sources said they expected the Opposition Leader to benefit from the party’s national conference at the weekend.

And Labor continued to prevail in Newspoll’s two-party preferred findings, heading the Coalition 53/47. Government hopes the Budget and its small business measures, and an emphasis on national security would lift its primary vote have not been realised. It has stayed stubbornly around 40 per cent since May.

But Bill Shorten’s popularity is even lower, with only 27 per cent of voters approving of his performance. Picture: Picture: Nicole Garmston

Tony Abbott’s hopes of a bump in popularity after the May Budget have proved short-lived. Picture: David Moir / AAP

The Prime Minister is expected to maintain his attacks on Mr Shorten over the three weeks until the resumption of Parliament, but has also had to deal with greater controversy surrounding Speaker Bronwyn Bishop and her spending record. Labor has vowed to pursue her.

Former Treasurer and Labor right stalwart Wayne Swan today dismissed a report he and left wing Deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek were plotting a cross factional attack on Mr Shorten’s leadership.

There is no sudden alliance between the two senior party figures. They are long-time friends and last year Ms Plibersek attended Mr Swan’s 60th birthday celebrations.

Last night she was at his Brisbane launch of a paper on national prosperity, which will feature at the weekend’s national conference.

The paper was reviewed by shadow cabinet three weeks ago in a presentation by Mr Swan and has been supported by a number of front bench MPs.

Mr Swan told news.com.au today there was no secret plan to promote Ms Plibersek as a replacement for Mr Shorten, and laughed off suggestions of a left/right factional plot.

Mr Shorten’s leadership continues to be the subject of speculation although there is no evidence of even a tentative move to oust him.

Tony Abbott’s leadership also is being examined by his Coalition colleagues but again there is no sign of a challenge.