The latest Fairfax-Ipsos poll shows that after a difficult fortnight for Mr Shorten and Mr Abbott, in which the opposition leader has faced questions about his time at the AWU and the prime minister has faced a divisive internal debate over same-sex marriage, both men's standing has plummeted. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten's popularity has hit a record low. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen It will also dampen speculation about an early election. In addition to Labor's two-party preferred lead Mr Shorten is ahead of Mr Abbott as preferred prime minister, leading 43 per cent (up one point since June) to 39 per cent (down two points). But it is Mr Shorten's approval ratings that has taken the larger hit and he now joins Mr Abbott deep in negative territory.

His personal approval has dived six percentage points since June to 35 per cent, while his disapproval rating has risen eight percentage points to 55 per cent. Prime Minister Tony Abbott's popularity has also fallen. Credit:Andrew Meares Those changes have driven down Mr Shorten to a record low approval rating during his time as opposition leader, with a net approval rating of minus 20 per cent, a fall of 14 percentage points in a single month. Labor MPs are closely monitoring Mr Shorten's performance after a difficult final parliamentary fortnight before the long winter break that included him being called to appear before the commission, a decision to oppose pension reform that has been questioned by some in the shadow cabinet and uninspired performances in question time.

Some Labor MPs fear that Mr Shorten could suffer "death by a thousand cuts" as the government sharpens its political attack over some of the deals struck while he was leader of the AWU. However, there is scant consolation in the poll forMr Abbott, who has seen his approval rating fall further, down four percentage points since June to 36 per cent, while his disapproval rating has risen five percentage points to 59 per cent, delivering a net negative rating of minus 23 per cent. The fall in Mr Abbott's ratings - and the fact that its support in the two-party preferred vote has not risen despite a well-received second budget and a strong focus on the economy and tougher national security legislation - will be of equal concern to the Coalition, with a federal election due in less than 18 months. Liberal Party divisions over same-sex marriage have erupted in the last week, with Senate leader Eric Abetz calling for fellow cabinet ministers who do not support the party's current position, which defines marriage as only between a man and a woman, to resign. The national poll of 1402 voters was conducted from Thursday evening to Saturday night and found that, in the last month, Labor's primary vote has fallen two percentage points to 35 per cent since the June poll, while the Coalition's primary vote has fallen one point to 39 per cent.

The Greens political party saw a two percentage point rise in its vote to 16 per cent, while the Palmer United Party's vote remained unchanged at one point and "others" remained unchanged on 8 per cent. This 53-47 lead for Labor, based on preference flows from the 2013 election, remains 53-47 when based on how those polled stated they where would direct their preferences. Voters are divided on the two men's attributes, with Mr Shorten leading in six of 11 key areas including competency (52-45), being open to ideas (68-34), having a firm grasp of social policy (59-30) and trustworthiness (39-35). However, he is seen as much more likely to be influenced by minority groups (46-28). Mr Abbott, in turn, is seen as a strong leader (42-34), having a clear vision for Australia (49-36), having the ability to make things happen (55-35). On economic policy and foreign policy, Mr Abbott leads 47-43 and 42-39 respectively.

Since the February leadership spill, the percentage of voters who say Mr Abbott has the confidence of his party has risen 30 points to 51 per cent; his rating as a strong leader has risen nine points to 42 per cent, while his ability to make things happen is seen to have risen 12 points to 55 per cent. Ipsos pollster Rob McPhedran said the poll demonstrated that "Australians don't like either party leader, as evidenced by the approval and disapproval ratings, and the Greens have benefited with a two point rise". "Tony Abbott has really bounced back since his leadership scare, it seems like Australians believed he has galvanised support in that area and there has been a 30 point turn around since we asked the same question in February," he said. "But from a macro perspective, he is still an unpopular leader and he has some of the lowest ever ratings for being a strong leader and having a firm grasp of foreign policy." Follow James Massola on Facebook