TONY Abbott's approval rating has tumbled to its lowest level since he became Liberal leader three years ago.

And his disapproval rating has jumped to the highest for an Opposition leader since Alexander Downer just weeks before he was replaced by John Howard in the mid-1990s.

By contrast, Prime Minister Julia Gillard's approval rating is at its highest level since May last year, although she still remains more disliked than liked.

Today's Newspoll, published in The Australian, shows despite Mr Abbott's poor figures the Coalition has edged ahead of Labor, to lead 51 to 49 per cent in two-party terms.

The Coalition's primary vote rose two points in the past fortnight to 43 per cent. Labor was unchanged at 36 per cent and the Greens steady at 10 per cent.

Last month Ms Gillard attacked Mr Abbott as sexist and a misogynist in a parliamentary speech that has gained attention around the world. Liberal women have rejected the claim.

Mr Abbott's satisfaction rating fell three points to 27 per cent - the first time it has dipped below 30 per cent. Ms Gillard's satisfaction rating rose two points to 37 per cent. Her approval rating is up 10 points since August.

Newspoll found Mr Abbott's dissatisfaction score jumped five points to 63 per cent.

Voter satisfaction for the opposition leader is approaching the levels recorded by his predecessor, Malcolm Turnbull, before he was replaced by Mr Abbott in 2009.

Ironically, Mr Turnbull is widely tipped to take charge of the party if the Caucus chooses to remove Mr Abbott.



Mr Abbott's rating is higher than the worst scores for several previous Opposition leaders who were dumped as leader, including Malcolm Turnbull's 58 per cent, Kim Beazley's 61 per cent and Simon Crean's 62 per cent.

It is the worst rating for an Opposition leader since Mr Downer's 65 per cent weeks before his removal.

However, there is one comfort for Mr Abbott. The worst dissatisfaction rating for a leader in recent times belongs to Ms Gillard, who hit 68 per cent in September last year.



Her dissatisfaction rating in today's poll is 52 per cent, up one point.

Ms Gillard has also maintained her large Newspoll margin over Mr Abbott as preferred PM, ahead by 46 to 32 per cent.