Labor talks up policy ideas after Newspoll

Federal Labor insists it's focused on delivering new policy ideas and not the hit it's taken in the latest Newspoll.

The coalition holds a 10 point primary vote lead over the opposition in the survey published in The Australian, with support for Malcolm Turnbull as prime minister soaring to 63 per cent and Bill Shorten slumping to 17 per cent.

Labor frontbencher Jenny Macklin told ABC radio voters are crying out for more policy and that's what the opposition is focused on.

After announcing Dr Alan Finkel as chief scientist, Malcolm Turnbull joked he attributes any improvement in the polls entirely to the appointment by Industry Minister Christopher Pyne.

Liberal frontbencher Scott Ryan told Sky News he's detected that the community wants to hear solutions from the prime minister and government.

"They're sick of partisan bickering," he said.

But opposition frontbencher Brendan O'Connor was putting on a brave face, saying Mr Turnbull was still enjoying a honeymoon period after the assassination of Tony Abbott.

"We'll continue to focus on policies ... and we'll have further announcements to make as we present our case to the Australian people as to why we're a better alternative than the government," he said.