Australian gov't losses support since election: new poll

Australian Federal Labor's primary vote has slipped since the Aug. 21 general election, with support for the Greens rising slightly, a new poll showed on Monday.

The poll, published in the Fairfax press, has Labor's primary support falling to 34 percent as the Greens rise from 12 percent to 14 percent. The Coalition is down one point on 43 percent.

On the two-party preferred vote, Labor leads the Coalition by two points at 51 percent to 49 percent.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard leads Opposition Leader Tony Abbott as preferred prime minister at 53 percent to his 39 percent.

Australian Greens leader Bob Brown said the latest opinion poll showed Australians like minority federal government.

"I think it says people are liking minority government," Senator Brown told ABC Radio, adding that there had been very little shift in voter sentiment. "People are still supporting the alternative form of government which they voted for."

According to Nationals senator Barnaby Joyce, the poll indicated there was a still a very tight and unconvinced electorate, because Labor has not solidified its support since the last inconclusive election.

Source: Xinhua