Polls slam Abbott but voters praise his can-do attitude

A bad fortnight for Tony Abbott has got even worse, with Bill Shorten surging ahead of the Prime Minister in the polls.

Buoyed by the result, the Labor leader today made a direct call for a change of Government.

"The best way to change the Prime Minister's mind is to change the Government," Mr Shorten said in Adelaide.

Treasurer Joe Hockey was forced to defend the government's reform strategy.

"The commentary and criticisms is loud but you've got to see it through," he told 2UE radio.

But seeing through the paid parental leave continues to prove troublesome, as the Prime Minister conceded more ground on the policy.

The latest Fairfax-Ipsos poll has put Mr Abbott eight points behind as preferred prime minister.

But the numbers aren't all gloomy for the Prime Minister. Voters have given him the edge on the economy, foreign policy and the ability to get things done.

"The Howard Government, the Thatcher Government, the Reagan Government all had rough patches in the polls," Mr Abbott said.