Carbon tax's floor price has been axed and educational reforms were on their way, courtesy of Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who on Tuesday saw her personal Newspoll numbers soaring to a high of 39 per cent.

From the 1,151 participants polled by the latest News Ltd-Newspoll survey, conducted from Aug 31 to Sept 2, only 38 per cent tagged Opposition Leader Tony Abbott as their preferred prime minister, leaving an impression that he was gradually faltering while Ms Gillard is slowly creeping into contention.

Just a few months back, the Labor leader was almost consigned to oblivion and Mr Abbott was gearing for a Coalition government come late 2013 but analysts said he may have to review his tactics with recent indications that Ms Gillard's popularity was regaining some lost grounds.

Newspoll said voters' satisfaction for the prime minister now stands at 31 per cent while her current dissatisfaction rating of 57 per cent led to a net satisfaction rating of minus 26 per cent, her best figures so far over the past six months.

In contrast, Mr Abbott netted a satisfaction rating of negative 28 per cent, Newspoll said, because 59 per cent of those questioned by pollsters have disapproved of his actions last week as opposed to only 31 per cent that gave him a nod.

The Coalition leader now trails his Labor nemesis, but he can still take comfort on the fact that barring any major upheavals over the 10 months or so, he'll inhabit The Lodge next year as the Liberal-National alliance keeping its lead on the primary contest at 46 per cent.

Labor's was placed at 33 per cent, shaving off two points from the last survey while the Coalition gained a full pace.

In terms of two-party preferred contest, the Coalition remains on top at 55 per cent, while Labor has attracted 45 per cent.

Analysts noted that from its six-point lead two weeks ago, the Coalition's edge has ballooned to 10 points, further cementing the prospect of a likely Conservative federal rule by 2013.

The main question that emerged is if Labor's momentum, which picked up a fortnight ago, will regain its wings in the weeks ahead on the back of resurging trust that Aussies seem to extend to Ms Gillard.

The Australian credited the prime minister for ditching some of her unpopular policies while at the same time inching back to key Labor qualities that swept the party into power in 2007.

Ms Gillard's recent moves largely affirmed the welfare offerings of her party - the carbon tax compensations, the NDIS and the sweeping school funding - which observers said effectively extended her shelf life and party dampened the likely return of former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who has been creating some noise lately.

It remains to be seen though if Australian's new spurt of appreciation for Ms Gillard would be sustained well into sphere of electability and if so, analysts would want to see if the 'magic' would rub on other Labor MPs, many of whom were in danger of extinction come the federal battle in 2013.

Political watchers also pointed to the sinking primary votes of the Australian Greens, now at only three per cent, which according to The Australian is suggesting that Labor voters that were earlier lured by the Green were returning, and maybe in droves in the months ahead.

Asked by reporters in Melbourne today if he is disturbed by his seemingly plummeting popularity and satisfaction numbers, as shown in the latest Newspoll survey, Mr Abbott immediately sidestepped the question.

"I'm concerned every day to point out the failures of a bad government getting worse and to articulate a positive vision for our country," the Liberal chief was quoted by the Australian Associated Press (AAP) as saying on Tuesday.

As for Ms Gillard, she has vowed on Monday to continue her ongoing promotion of the 'Labor Way', The Australian reported.

RELATED STORIES