NSW: Rudd maintains lead, Costello now favoured over Turnbull
10 Mar 2009 12:58 AM
SYDNEY, March 10 AAP - The worsening Australian economy has failed to dent the Rudd Government's ascendancy over the Malcolm Turnbull-led Coalition, according to the latest Newspoll.
Labor holds an eight point lead over the Coalition, on a 56 to 44 per cent two party preferred basis, according to the poll published in the Australian on Tuesday.
The result is a drop of two percentage points on the previous poll for the Rudd government, but more than three points higher than its election win in 2007.
Kevin Rudd is the preferred prime minister by 40 points, with 61 per cent support to Mr Turnbull's 21 percent.
Furthering Mr Turnbull's troubles, his lacklustre performance, despite the troubled economic times, now sees Peter Costello as the best to lead the Liberal Party.
The former treasurer received 45 per cent of support for a move to the Liberals' top job, while Mr Turnbull had the backing of only 38 per cent of voters.
But despite Mr Costello's new-found popularity, Mr Rudd was still considered a better PM.
In a three-way runoff between Mr Rudd, Mr Costello and Mr Turnbull, the prime minister received 54 per cent voter support.
Mr Costello had 24 per cent support, while Mr Turnbull brought up the rear on 13 per cent.
