Former prime minister John Howard has warned the Victorian Government risks being thrown out of office after just one term because of internal political "poison".

Mr Howard told a Coalition party room meeting in Melbourne the recent phenomenon of one-term governments had changed the political paradigm, leaving Opposition MPs in a strong position for the next state election in 2018.

"You can win the next election because we're in a new paradigm," he said

"First-term governments are remarkably vulnerable in the modern political era.

"It seems to me there's a lot of internal poison inside this Government in Victoria."

The dispute over the Country Fire Authority industrial deal has cost the Andrews Government public support, with a recent poll showing Opposition Leader Matthew Guy leading Daniel Andrews 51 to 49 per cent as preferred Premier.

The poll found Labor had a narrow 51 to 49 per cent two-party-preferred lead over the Coalition.

Mr Howard, who is the country's second longest-serving prime minister, said the Andrews Government looked vulnerable after some "unforced errors".

Premier defends Government's performance

But Mr Andrews said his Government was making good progress.

"I think there's a Government in this state that is getting things done and that's what's most important," he said.

Special Minister of State Gavin Jennings said Mr Howard was not immune to toxic politics.

"John Howard had a lot of poison in his Government, as I understand it, he was very successful as prime minister," he said.

Mr Guy described Mr Howard as a "political hero" of the Liberal and National parties.

"I think my generation will look back at the Howard Government like my parents looked back at the Menzies Government," he said.

Mr Howard has been criticised for last week saying the representation of women in the Federal Parliament is unlikely to reach 50 per cent because they still carry greater responsibility as carers.

He is presenting a new two-part documentary series called Howard on Menzies: The Making of Modern Australia, which is due to air on ABC TV later this month.