Malcolm Turnbull is cementing his lead over Tony Abbott as the most popular choice for Liberal leader and prime minister, according to a new poll which shows the Coalition is facing a 36-seat electoral wipe-out.

Had an election been held on the weekend, the Coalition would have been swept from office on the back of a 7.5 per cent swing, the latest Fairfax-Ipsos poll reveals.

Among all voters, Mr Turnbull leads as preferred Liberal leader and prime minister on 41 per cent to Julie Bishop on 23 per cent and Mr Abbott on just 15 per cent.

On a two-party-preferred basis, support for the government remains 8 percentage points behind Labor on 46/54, the poll taken from August 13-15 shows.

The government's primary support has dipped to 38 per cent - just two points above Labor's 36 per cent, while the Greens are on 16 per cent.

The poll, published by Fairfax Media on Monday, also shows public support for marriage equality remains high at 69 per cent.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann maintains Tony Abbott's job is safe despite woeful opinion poll results.

"I don't provide a running commentary on polls," he told ABC radio on Monday.



"Our job is to do the best we can to put Australia on a stronger foundation."