Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has taken a slim lead over Anthony Albanese as preferred prime minister, a new poll today shows.
Dutton is backed by 36 per cent of voters, compared with Albanese's 35 per cent, according to the Resolve Political Monitor survey for Nine newspapers.
Despite the narrow margin, it is the first time the opposition leader has been favoured since the survey started.
Labor's primary vote has also dropped to 28 per cent, with the Coalition steady at 36 per cent, the poll revealed.
Voters put the Coalition ahead of Labor on two key national issues, according to the survey.
It shows 40 per cent of voters now rank Dutton and the Coalition as best to manage the economy, with only 24 per cent favouring Albanese and Labor.
On national security and defence, 42 per cent back Dutton and the Coalition, while 23 per cent prefer Albanese and Labor.
The results show Dutton's announcement that the Coalition would ditch the government's legislated 43 per cent emissions reduction target by 2030 if it takes office next year has not earned the wrath of voters.
The move drew fierce criticism from Labor, the Greens and Teal independents.
The Resolve Political Monitor canvassed 1607 eligible voters from last Tuesday to Saturday.