Embattled Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott would likely be eating his heart out to know that his political nemesis, former PM Julia Gillard, whom he often used to beat in political surveys, is the second most admired figure in 2013.

His popularity ratings, in turn, is at an all-time low because of the proposed 2014-15 federal budget which introduce new taxes and spending cuts that many Australians believe is a breach of the Coalitions campaign promises.

As a result, Mr Abbott is booed by students and heckled by teachers. In addition, the $60,000 scholarship of his daughter Frances at the Whitehouse Institute of Design is under question. Other design students are questioning the grant of the scholarship if it was a political act and not based on merit and academic excellence.

Read also:

Scholarship Scandal: Classmates of Frances Abbott Doubt She Got Scholarship Based on Merit and Art Portfolio

Budget 2014: Frequent Liberal Party Donor & Abbott Friend Gave PM's Daughter $60,000 Scholarship; Abbott Admits Deficit Levy Is a Tax

In contrast, Ms Gillard landed 2nd on the Roy Morgan survey, after U.S. President Barack Obama and followed by the deceased South African President Nelson Mandela.

Mr Abbott is actually on the list at 6th place. After Mr Mandela is Queen Elizabeth and former PM John Howard. After Mr Abbott is ex-PM Kevin Rudd.

Mr Abbott was twice as popular among males than females, perhaps a result of Ms Gillard's accusation that he is a misogynist as well as other anecdotes about the current PM's difficulty in dealing with women in authority.

The proposed budget is said to be Mr Abbott's Julia Gillard moment, referring to her unpopular carbon tax.

Read also:

Tasmanian Farmers Hit Senator Abetz's Proposal to Make State's Orchards Dumping Ground for Unemployed Aussie Youth

Liberal Senator Urges Unemployed Aussies Not to Be Picky While Waiting for Dream Job, Rather to Pick Fruits in the Meantime

Budget 2014: Aussie Patients Skip GP Appointments Over $7 Co-Payment Fee; Doctors Text No-Show Patients

Australians Show Disagreement With Abbott Budget Thru March in May Protests; Premiers Vow to Inflict Maximum Political Pain to PM

$750 Designer Dress of Joe Hockey's Wife Gets Aussies Notice as Treasurer Asks Nation to Tighten Belt