Poll says Opposition leader Abbott leading Oz PM Gillard, could win Aug.21 elections

Sydney, July 31 (ANI): A Sydney Morning Herald/Nielsen poll has revealed that Leader of Opposition Tony Abbott and the Coalition could sweep to power against Prime Minister Julia Gillard's Labor Party if an election is held today.

In a stunning reversal of fortunes, the Coalition now leads Labor on a two-party-preferred basis by 52 per cent to 48 per cent.

This represents a six-percentage point two-party swing against the government since the last Herald poll a week ago, and a 4.7 point two-party swing against the government since the last election.

If the result were replicated uniformly in the election on August 21, the Coalition would pick up 28 seats; 11 more than it needs to form government in its own right.

The poll shows Labor's primary vote has gone into freefall, plunging six points in a week to 36 per cent while the Coalition's primary vote rose four points to 45 per cent. The Greens remained steady at 12 per cent.

Gillard's approval rating slumped five points to 51 per cent and her disapproval rating rose six points to 39 per cent. Abbott's approval rose six points to 49 per cent and his disapproval fell six points to 45 per cent.

The poll of 1356 voters was taken from Tuesday night to Thursday night. (ANI)