The worm has turned against opposition leader Tony Abbott, whose personal approval rating has slumped alarmingly according to today’s Essential Research poll, despite a gain for the Coalition in the two-party preferred stakes.

The omnibus online poll — conducted between March 23-28 in the wake of Monday’s health debate, and released first to Crikey — shows the Liberal/National opposition jumping two points to 46% in a head-to-head contest, cutting Labor’s lead to eight points on 54%.

But while Abbott hit a high of 45% approval in February, voters have since turned on the opposition leader. His approval ratings fell 12 points to 33%, compared to prime minister Kevin Rudd who gained a point to sit at 53% approval.

Exactly half of constituents now disapprove of Abbott’s performance, up from 36% in February’s poll. Rudd maintains a favourable 36% disapproval figure (down one point from February).

Q. Do you strongly approve, approve, disapprove or strongly disapprove of the job Kevin Rudd is doing as Prime Minister?

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Q. Do you strongly approve, approve, disapprove or strongly disapprove of the job Tony Abbott is doing as Opposition Leader?

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Health policy is clearly hurting Abbott. Only 29 percent of people think the opposition is best trusted with running hospitals and health care, compared to Kevin Rudd’s 45% score. In party terms, 45% back Labor while just 25% say the Coalition would deliver better health policy.

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The Essential poll also shows continuing strong support for the Government’s stimulus package, but down from February, suggesting Opposition and media attacks on the schools program may have taken their toll. But there is growing confidence among voters about economic conditions and their own job security, such that 52% of voters now want to see the Government turn its attention to the Budget deficit, rather than continue to prop up economic growth.