Aussie govt consolidates lead over opposition

The Nielsen poll gave the government a solid lead of 54 per cent to 46 per cent on a ‘two-party’ basis, after minor parties are eliminated under Australia’s system of transferable voting.

It also showed that Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s status as Australia’s first female prime minister was drawing strong support from female voters, with support from women significantly higher than support from men.

Female supporters preferred Labour by 58 per cent to 42 per cent on a two-party basis, while support among men was tied at 50-50.

Gillard ousted her predecessor Kevin Rudd last month in an internal party revolt. The government’s primary vote — meaning voters who would choose it as first preference — was narrowly ahead of the opposition at 42 per cent to 41 percent, while the Greens were at 12 per cent, according to the poll, published in The Sydney Morning Herald.

The latest poll shows the government’s lead has increased over the latest Reuters Poll Trend results, issued last Thursday.