Rudd preferred PM: Newspoll

Most Labor MPs believe Julia Gillard will win today's Labor leadership battle against Kevin Rudd, but the latest Newspoll shows that Mr Rudd holds a healthy 53 per cent to 28 per cent as preferred PM over Ms Gillard.

When it comes to who polled voters prefer as Australia's prime minister, Kevin Rudd wins hands down.

He has consistently maintained a strong lead on that question in polls and the latest Newspoll in The Australian is no exception.

As Mr Rudd challenges Julia Gillard on Monday in a Labor parliamentary ballot to see who will be prime minister, he holds a healthy 53 per cent to 28 per cent as preferred PM over her in a poll taken over the weekend.

He also leads Opposition leader Tony Abbott as preferred prime minister, but it's a bit closer at 53 per cent to 34 per cent.

In a glimmer of hope for Labor, voting support is at its highest in 12 months with its primary vote rising three points to 35 per cent from two weeks ago compared to the coalition which is steady at 45 per cent.

The Australian says that, based on preference flows at the 2010 election, the coalition has a two-party preferred lead over Labor of 53 per cent to 47 per cent - still landslide territory - compared with 55 per cent to 45 per cent two weeks ago.

But while the party's support has strengthened, support for Ms Gillard has declined, with satisfaction falling from 32 per cent to 26 per cent in the past two weeks and dissatisfaction rising from 57 per cent to 64 per cent.

Satisfaction with Mr Abbott's performance as opposition leader also fell - from 36 per cent to 31 per cent, while dissatisfaction rose five points from 52 per cent to 57 per cent.

MPs PREPARE FOR VOTE

Many of the Federal Labor MPs returning to Canberra ahead of a leadership ballot agree Prime Minister Julia Gillard will win the vote and that the party needs to heal its wounds after a week-long internal spat.

Some 102 members of the Labor caucus will vote at 10am (AEDT) on Monday on whether to continue with Julia Gillard as prime minister or reinstate her predecessor Kevin Rudd to the top job.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith, a Gillard supporter, on Sunday said the leadership had to be settled.

"I think after the ballot is over the most important thing is to draw a line under that and get on with the job of running the country," he told reporters at Canberra airport.

Mental Health Minister Mark Butler is also supporting Ms Gillard and said she is the right person to lead the minority government to the next election in 18 months.

"I am confident she is going to win," he said.

"There is a strong will from caucus to get on with the job governing."

South Australian backbencher Amanda Rishworth expects Ms Gillard to be returned while Queenslander Graham Perrett, who had earlier threatened to quit if Mr Rudd was reinstated, said he would also be sticking with the prime minister.

"I support stability, I support the prime minister," he added.

But Mr Perrett said voter support for Mr Rudd and Ms Gillard in his Brisbane electorate of Moreton, which adjoins Mr Rudd's electorate, was split.

"They're telling me both," he told reporters

NSW backbencher Janelle Saffin, who is supporting Mr Rudd and holds the seat of Page, said the party will need to do some "healing" after the ballot.

"We have to go out and promote what a good government we have been under both leaders," she said.

"I am not worried about losing my seat."

Fellow Rudd backer, manufacturing minister Kim Carr maintained Mr Rudd, who was deposed by Ms Gillard in June 2010, was Labor's best chance at the 2013 federal election.

"I think it's in the best interests of the country and the best interests of the Labor party," he said.

Independent NSW MP Rob Oakeshott arrived in Canberra to tell reporters he had no view on the Labor leadership but hoped the situation would be resolved so parliament can get back to business.

"It's not for me to decide," he said.

"I hope we can get back on track this Tuesday."

Deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop said Labor had a choice between "a chaotic and disorganised prima donna or an incompetent, untrustworthy backstabber."

Ms Bishop said the opposition was ready for an election at any moment and didn't believe the leadership issue would be resolved for the longer term.

"It doesn't matter who wins, the instability and uncertainty will continue," she said.

Nationals Senate leader Barnaby Joyce says the Labor leadership battle is the "biggest domestic on the street".

"Our nation is better than this," he said.

Labor MP Michael Danby had a crack at Labor strategist Bruce Hawker who is pushing for Mr Rudd's return as prime minister.

"If you want to tell elected members of parliament what to do, stand for pre-selection and get yourself elected to a seat," he said.

Victorian senator David Feeney, who was instrumental in the 2010 coup that overthrew Mr Rudd, said he would not be making further comment on the leadership issue.