Despite a poll slump for the coalition, Liberal frontbenchers are still talking up Malcolm Turnbull's strong lead over Bill Shorten.
Despite a slip in support for the coalition, Liberal frontbenchers are still talking up Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's strong poll lead over Bill Shorten.
The Fairfax-Ipsos poll, published on Monday, shows the coalition falling four per cent to 52 per cent, on a two-party-preferred basis - less than that secured under Tony Abbott at the last election (53.5 per cent on a two-party-preferred vote).
But it still sits ahead of Labor, which increased four per cent to 48 per cent.
Despite the hit to the government, Mr Turnbull remains well in front of Mr Shorten as preferred prime minister.
He fell five percentage points to 64 per cent, but still leads the opposition leader on 19 per cent.
The poll of 1403 people was taken between February 11 and 13.
Cabinet minister Josh Frydenberg said polls always get tight before elections.
"If you look at the preferred prime minister, you still have Malcolm Turnbull streets head of Bill Shorten," he told ABC TV.
