Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's popularity has taken a dramatic nosedive in the latest polls, which has given the coalition an election-winning lead for the first time since 2006.
With an approval rating of just 39 per cent, down from 50 two weeks ago, it's Mr Rudd's lowest ever as Labor leader - and the fastest drop ever recorded in 20 years of Newspoll surveys.
It comes after a bad period for the government, culminating with the postponement of its much-lauded emissions trading scheme until at least 2013.
Broken election promises
It has also recently reneged on a promise to build 200 childcare centres and scrapped its botched home insulation scheme for good.
The coalition has reaped the benefits, according to the newspoll, published in Tuesday's Australian, jumping from 46 to 51 per cent on a two-party preferred basis, while the government has lost five points to 49 per cent.
Primary support was also up for the Liberals - they've gained three points to 43 per cent, while Labor lost seven to 35 per cent.
That's its lowest since March 2006 when it was in opposition.
Health reforms not helping popularity
The government's big moves on health reform, including a so-called historic agreement with the states and territories on hospitals funding and cigarette taxes, appear to have failed to generate public support.
It lost two points to 43 per cent on who was best to handle health and Medicare, while the coalition stayed the same on 32 per cent.
Both the major parties lost ground when it came to climate change.
Abbott closes in
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott appears to have closed the gap slightly on Mr Rudd, with 32 per cent nominating him as the better prime minister - up from 29 per cent.
The PM did still have the lead though on 50 per cent - down from 56 per cent two weeks ago.
Only 63 per cent of respondents said they saw Mr Rudd as "decisive and strong", compared to 69 per cent for Mr Abbott.
