Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has savaged the Gillard government as another opinion poll shows Labor trailing the coalition.
Mr Abbott rejected Prime Minister Julia Gillard's suggestion that "economic Hansonism" was taking hold on the conservative side of politics.
Ms Gillard took aim at opposition frontbenchers Joe Hockey and Andrew Robb, NSW Labor Premier Kristina Keneally and NSW Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell during a speech to an industry dinner at Parliament House on Monday night.
They were among the "rising voices against reform", she said.
Mr Abbott was dismissive of Ms Gillard's comments.
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"The prime minister's shrill and aggressive speech last night was symptomatic of a government that has lost its way," he told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday.
His response coincided with the latest Newspoll showing the coalition moving ahead of Labor - 52-48 per cent - on the back of a big drop in support for the government outside the capital cities.
