The ALP is ahead 53 per cent to 47 per cent, on a two-party preferred basis, meaning the government could lose 14 seats on a uniform swing if an election was held now, the poll published in The Australian on Tuesday shows.

However, this was a slight improvement for the government since the last Newspoll in December, which had Labor leading 55 per cent to 45 per cent – equivalent to a 21 seat loss.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison refused to comment directly on the results, preferring to talk up a promise to create more jobs if the coalition is re-elected.

“I’m announcing today our pledge for 1.25 million jobs over the next five years. They are the numbers that matter,” Morrison told Nine’s Today this morning.

The Coalition’s primary vote is up two points to 37 per cent while Labor’s was down three points to 38 per cent.

That’s the best primary vote result in a Newspoll for the government since Malcolm Turnbull lost the prime ministership in August.

Morrison continues to lead Opposition Leader Bill Shorten as preferred prime minister at 43 per cent to 36 per cent.

But voter satisfaction levels with Morrison fell by two points to 40 per cent, while Shorten’s satisfaction rating improved slightly.

The Greens’ primary vote remained unchanged at nine per cent while One Nation fell one point to six per cent.

The Newspoll of 1634 voters was taken between Thursday and Sunday.

Three ministers – Kelly O’Dwyer, Michael Keenan and Nigel Scullion – will retire from politics at the election due to be held before May.

– AAP