Abbott govt still ahead in Nielsen poll

The Abbott government holds a narrow lead over Labor in the latest Nielsen poll, which shows more than half of voters would approve it taking action to rein in the cost of Medicare.

The coalition leads Labor 51-49 per cent in the poll published by Fairfax on Monday, down one per cent from February.

Tony Abbott remains the preferred prime minister with 48 per cent support and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has the backing of 43 per cent.

But the real surprise is voters supporting action on Medicare, with 52 per cent saying they would approve a means test so only some patients are bulk billed.

Despite the Labor campaign against the possible introduction of a $6 GP co-payment, 49 per cent of those surveyed said they would back such a measure.

And in a boost for the government foreshadowing a tough budget in May, half agreed there was a need to reduce the cost of Medicare.

Asked what the government should do about Qantas, 30 per cent supported the coalition's efforts to remove foreign ownership restrictions.

Twenty per cent said the government should provide a debt guarantee, but 41 per cent wanted it to do neither.