Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott's support from voters has plummeted and he is now as unpopular as Julia Gillard ever was, a new poll has revealed just days after his government delivered a harsh first budget. This comes as Mr Abbott launched a stunning riposte in defence of the budget on Sunday, saying 'selective hearing' from the electorate was to blame for any confusion over the cost-cutting package. Labor has been boosted to a 12 percentage point lead over the Coalition in the two-party vote at 56/44, the monthly Fairfax-Nielsen nationwide phone poll showed on Monday. Mr Abbott says he has delivered a budget in line with Australians' expectations, despite 75% of people polled by Galaxy claiming they will be worse off
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Prime Minister's support from voters has plunged, new poll shows
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His negative rating has hit minus 28 per cent - as bad Julia Gillard
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Tony Abbott admits first budget does include increased taxes
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Opposition Leader Bill Shorten says 'terrible budget' unites Labor party
Tony Abbott
Abbott
Abbott
Tony Abbott
Labor leader Bill Shorten has also jumped to an 11 point advantage as preferred prime minister over @placeholder for the first time ever, leading 51 per cent to 40.
Bill Shorten
The @placeholder claims millionaires will have an extra $50,000 in their pockets they don't need.
Bill Shorten
Mr @placeholder went on further to say the Government was using the state's cuts to schools and hospitals funding as a smokescreen to hit taxpayers with another tax.
Tony Abbott
Abbott
Abbott
Tony Abbott
Mr @placeholder said everyone had to share the burden caused by Labor 'spending like a drunken sailor'.