The new week looks promising for Prime Minister Julia Gillard as her poll numbers reflected considerable boost against Opposition Leader Tony while she prepares for the Australian visit this week of U.S. President Barack Obama.

Currently in Honolulu, Hawaii for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, Ms Gillard got wind of the news that latest Fairfax survey showed her chipping away significant numbers from Abbott, who months ago was touted by many as the next Prime Minister if elections were held shortly.

According to Fairfax, Abbot's edge against Ms Gillard's Labor Party now stands at 55 to 45 percent, coming from the 61-39 gathered during the July media polls, which analysts considered as significant climb for the party leader thought to be on the way out due to her plunging popularity with voters.

The latest poll, which according to the Australian Associated Press (AAP) was conducted from among 1400 participants between Thursday and Saturday last week, showed stirring jump for Ms Gillard's approval rating, hiking by six points to 39 percent as of October.

Also, her disapproval rating improved by five points to 57 percent while Abbot's poll figures failed to reflect any movement for the last three months, both his approval and disapproval ratings steadying at 41 and 54 percent respectively during the period.

The news came out as Australia prepares for the arrival of Mr Obama, who is scheduled to plane in from the APEC gathering by Wednesday this week.

The U.S. leader's Canberra tour, part of his numerous stops in some Asian nations, sparked stories of increased American military presence in the Asia-Pacific region, including the establishment of a permanent station for U.S military personnel in Australia.

Ms Gillard, however, refused to confirm the media reports but she hinted that "what people will see from President Obama's visit is a reaffirmation of the strong bonds between our countries."

"Anything I've got to say with President Obama with that matter or any other matter will be done by the two of us jointly when we're in Australia together," the Prime Minister was quoted by ABC Radio as saying during an interview Monday morning.

Brushing aside for now a new security pact with America that is yet to be confirmed by both Australian and U.S. officials, Trade Minister Craig Emerson instead called attention to the rising numbers of Ms Gillard.

"The trend is in the right direction ... and people have come to realise that as an alternative prime minister, Tony Abbott needs to say more than no, no, no, no, no," Emerson told ABC.

His declaration was made amidst strong indications that voters still prefer a change of government come the next general election on 2013 as the latest Nielsen poll showed the Coalition likely romping into victory, with the Labor party still stuck on 30 percent preference on primary votes.