Gillard regains preferred PM title: Newspoll

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Labor frontbencher Craig Emerson says he expects his colleagues to be buoyed by the results of the latest Newspoll which shows Julia Gillard regaining her lead over Tony Abbott as preferred prime minister.

The poll, published in The Australian newspaper today, shows the Prime Minister gained six points in the preferred PM stakes and now leads Mr Abbott 42 per cent to 38.

Her standing has improved by six points from a poll taken in late February, when she had slipped behind Mr Abbott for the first time in several months.

Labor's primary vote has also climbed three points to 34 per cent, while the Coalition is down three points to 44.

But the two-party preferred numbers have narrowed for the Coalition, which now leads Labor by 52 per cent to 48 per cent - down from a 10-point lead two weeks ago.

Polls explained

Opinion polls influence how prime ministers are judged and how politicians shape policies. Some pollsters don't like how their data is used or spun, while others believe polls ultimately influence the way people vote. In Opinion polls influence how prime ministers are judged and how politicians shape policies. Some pollsters don't like how their data is used or spun, while others believe polls ultimately influence the way people vote. In Off the Hustings , James Glenday explains how to read opinions polls and why they matter.

The poll was taken over the weekend after the Prime Minister had spent the week campaigning in western Sydney, talking about easing traffic congestion and a crackdown on visas for foreign workers.

And it appears to have temporarily quelled the latest round of leadership speculation swirling around Ms Gillard.

But the issue of Kevin Rudd is also still sticking around, with Newspoll showing a potential return to the former prime minister would boost Labor's chances at the federal election.

A total of 47 per cent of Newspoll voters said they would vote for Labor if Mr Rudd returned as leader, while 39 per cent would vote for the Opposition.

The poll has a margin of error of 3 per cent.

The poll numbers will give Labor MPs a glimmer of hope as they gather today for a Caucus meeting ahead of the parliamentary sitting fortnight.

Dr Emerson says the poll shows Labor's positive policies are cutting through to voters.

"What I'm encouraged about is that the Australian people do respond when we're talking about the issues that affect their daily lives, affect the prospects of their children and affect the future of Australia, that's what we're doing and that's what we'll continue to do," he said.

An unlikely defender of the Prime Minister has emerged from Opposition benches, with the Nationals member for Gippsland Darren Chester saying this morning that it was time to "lay off the personal attacks".

He said he had heard disturbing comments as he had been travelling through WA and his own electorate in recent weeks.

"I am disturbed by the tone of the debate and the increasing personal nature of the attacks on our Prime Minister," he said.

"It's not Australian to continue to comment in a vicious and personal manner about the Prime Minister. I think we need to focus on the policies.

"I was disappointed to hear comments along the lines of 'We hope she doesn't make it to the election', and I think that's extremely sad for the Australian people and I think we need to lay off the personal attacks."

Parliament will resume today, with the Government hoping the Lower House will pass its National Disability Insurance Scheme bill.

On Monday, senior members of the Government urged MPs to keep their concerns about Labor's fortunes at the September federal election to themselves.

Finance Minister Penny Wong told 7.30 she would not be drawn on the question of Labor's leadership other than to say it was resolved last year, but she acknowledged the party was in trouble.

"This is going to be a very tough election for the Labor Party and these are difficult circumstances we face," she said.

Senator Wong said the Government had to "pay heed" to the WA election.

"It's quite clear from the election result that the message from Western Australians is they want us to do better," she said.

"We don't do better by talking about ourselves, we do better by doing the right thing by Australians and their families and that's what we have to focus on."

Labor Senator Mark Bishop, who backed Mr Rudd in last year's leadership contest, insists the former prime minister is not about to challenge again.

"I haven't had one call from anyone to indicate anything inconsistent," he said.

Topics: federal-government, government-and-politics, australia

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