Labor has regained momentum and Julia Gillard is paring back Tony Abbott's lead as preferred prime minister, but Labor would still lose in a landslide if an election were held today, according to the latest Fairfax/Nielsen poll.
In the current uncertain economic times, only 15 per cent believe Ms Gillard is the best person to manage another financial crisis.
The coalition's two-party-preferred vote has fallen three percentage points to 58 per cent while Labor's has risen three points to 42 per cent in the poll of 1400 people taken between Thursday and Saturday last week.
The Prime Minister's approval rating has risen four points to 38 per cent, while her disapproval rating has fallen five to 57 per cent.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's approval rating is down four points to 43 per cent and his disapproval rating is up four to 52 per cent.
The fight for preferred prime minister is tightening up; Mr Abbott is still ahead but weaker by four points to 47 per cent to Ms Gillard's 44 per cent (up four).
Labor's primary vote is up two points to 28 per cent and the coalition's is down three to 48 per cent.
Voters are disillusioned with the current leaders as economic managers. Almost three in 10 (29 per cent) consider former leaders Kevin Rudd or Malcolm Turnbull as best equipped to manage another economic crisis.
Voters remain strongly opposed to the government's carbon pricing scheme. Those against the plan are steady on 56 per cent and those in support at 39 per cent.
