THE Coalition has opened a huge 56-44 per cent two-party lead in an Age/Nielsen poll showing Labor's primary vote at its lowest in 15 years and rising community opposition to the carbon price.

Julia Gillard now trails Kevin Rudd, the prime minister she overthrew, by 38-55 per cent as preferred Labor leader, although Labor MPs rule out any change. The ALP's primary vote has fallen to 31 per cent, down 2 points since last month.

Nielsen Poll.

The two-party gap, with Labor falling by 2 points and the Coalition up 2 points, is the biggest Coalition lead since 2005. If an election were held now, there would be a landslide 6 per cent swing on these figures.

But the news is not all good for Tony Abbott, with former leader Malcolm Turnbull drawing further ahead as preferred Liberal leader.