Today's result repudiates that view, with 45 per cent of women and 38 per cent of men (and 42 per cent overall) agreeing that Abbott is sexist, and Gillard's approval ratings improving across the board, but most strikingly (and surprisingly) among the over 55s.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard. Credit:Andrew Meares

The paradox is that the man who is still seen as having the overwhelming confidence of his party is perceived as inferior to Gillard when it comes to competence, leadership strength and openness to ideas.

Little separates them when it comes to trustworthiness and vision, or the perceived lack of both qualities, but the ascendancy Abbott forged on the back of his carbon-tax campaign as preferred prime minister has not just evaporated, it has been reversed.

Not surprisingly, Gillard's biggest gain on a range of attributes was in the area of foreign affairs, where the percentage saying she had a firm grasp on policy jumped from 39 per cent in August 2010 to 56 per cent - a perception that will be reinforced by Australia securing a seat on the United Nations Security Council.