Plibersek preferred Labor leader

Tanya Plibersek has edged ahead of Bill Shorten as preferred Labor leader for the first time in a major opinion poll.

Labor's deputy leader is rated by 23 per cent of voters as the better leader, two points ahead of Bill Shorten and 10 points ahead of 2013 leadership contest loser Anthony Albanese.

The latest Morgan poll shows Labor voters favour Ms Plibersek 30 per cent to Mr Shorten's 26 per cent.

Asked about the Liberal leadership, voters prefer Malcolm Turnbull (38 per cent) over Prime Minister Tony Abbott (12 per cent) and deputy leader Julie Bishop (27 per cent).

It is the lowest level of support for Mr Abbott in the Morgan poll since he took the leadership of the Liberals in December 2009.