Newspoll 'shows need to end parlour games'

Scott Morrison leads Bill Shorten as preferred PM in the latest Newspoll but the coalition's standing has lagged further in two-party preferred terms.

The coalition has lost its 40th Newspoll, despite Scott Morrison's standing as preferred PM. (AAP) Source: AAP

The coalition has lost its 40th Newspoll in a row with a change in leadership failing to give its numbers a bounce.

In the first fortnightly Newspoll since Scott Morrison replaced Malcolm Turnbull as prime minister on August 24, the coalition has seen a further drop in two-party-preferred terms, lagging behind Labor at 44 to 56 per cent.

The difference was closer in the last Newspoll of Mr Turnbull's prime ministership at 49 to 51 per cent.

The poll published in The Australian on Monday also showed the government's primary vote moved up one point from 33 to 34 per cent but Labor's also rose a point to 42 per cent.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said the poll results weren't surprising, but added it was early days.