Australian PM gains highest level in poll since May

CANBERRA, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- A latest new poll published in The Australian newspaper on Monday showed Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard gained her highest level of voter support in the last six month.

The poll was taken during the Australian Labor Party national conference, between last Friday and Sunday night. It showed Gillard has drawn level with Abbott as preferred prime minister for best figure since May, with each leader on 45 percent. Gillard gained a rise from 40 to 43 percent, while Opposition Leader Tony Abbott went from 35 to 36 percent.

Gillard's satisfaction rating is up two percentage points to 36 percent, while Abbott's rating is dip from 34 to 33 percent, with voter dissatisfaction increasing from 55 to 57 percent.

This is the second consecutive poll survey showed that Gillard extend her lead on Abbott, recording the best figure she has had since May.

The Labor Party has also recorded an improvement, with its primary vote up one percentage point to 31 percent, while the coalition down four points to 44 percent.

However, on a two-party preferred vote, the coalition still maintains a big lead over Labor on 54 percent to 46 percent.