Labor gets boost from latest Newspoll

Federal Labor has increased its lead over the coalition in the latest Newspoll, but Tony Abbott still remains the preferred prime minister.

Labor now leads the coalition by 52 to 48 per cent on a two party preferred basis, with support for the government dropping one per cent in the wake of the controversy surrounding former Assistant Treasurer Arthur Sinodinos.

Asked who would make a better prime minister, the poll published by News Corporation said Mr Abbott had 43 per support, up one point from two weeks ago.

Backing for Labor leader Bill Shorten remained unchanged on 36 per cent.

The poll follows a difficult fortnight for the government, marked by Senator Sinodinos' decision to stand aside over his links to a company being investigated by the NSW corruption commission.