Aussies back tough stance on Putin, poll

Two-thirds of Australians support Prime Minister Tony Abbott confronting Vladimir Putin over the shooting down of MH17, a week after he pledged to "shirt-front" the Russian leader over the tragedy.

The latest Newspoll has found 63 per cent backed Mr Abbott taking a tough stance against President Putin at a G20 meeting in Brisbane next month, while only 27 per cent opposed it.

The prime minister grabbed global headlines after pledging to shirtfront Mr Putin during the G20 leader meeting, comments he later backed away from.

Instead, he insisted he would hold robust talks with the Russian president over the "murder" of 38 Australians who died when MH17 was shot down over east Ukraine.

Labor's lead over the government also increased according to the poll published by News Corp Australia on Tuesday, with its two party preferred vote rising two points to 53 per cent.

Despite the coalition's support falling to 47 per cent, Mr Abbott remained the preferred prime minister.

He had 39 per cent support, compared to Labor leader Bill Shorten on 38 per cent.