Shorten's popularity takes new hit

Malcolm Turnbull's popularity has dropped slightly but Bill Shorten's has sunk to new lows.

The prime minister's approval rating is down four points to 60 per cent after Liberal Ian Macfarlane's switch to the Nationals and questions over Mal Brough's appointment as minister, the latest Newspoll shows.

But the opposition leader's rating is down one point to 14 per cent, the record low for a Labor leader in Newspoll history.