The Newspoll published in today’s The Australian newspaper shows Shorten is the preferred prime minister of just 15 per cent of voters, while Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has found favour with 64 per cent of those polled.

Shorten’s standing as preferred prime minister is the lowest of any federal Labor leader since Simon Crean pulled a 14 per cent figure in 2003.

The gap between the two leaders has widened since the previous Newspoll in early November, when Turnbull led Shorten 61-18.

The Coalition remains in a strong position on a two-party preferred basis, maintaining a 53-47 lead over Labor.

Labor’s primary vote has contracted since the previous Newspoll in early November. It now trails the Coalition 33-46.

The Greens polled 11 per cent of the primary vote.