Kevin Rudd is a better public policy implementation expert than Tony Abbott: Galaxy Poll.
Source: News Ltd
KEVIN Rudd is more trusted to implement election promises than Tony Abbott, despite the Prime Minister abandoning key pledges last time he was in power.
An exclusive Galaxy Poll for the Herald Sun also reveals Mr Rudd has clawed back economic credibility for Labor to be level-pegging on that crucial issue with Mr Abbott.
But while Mr Rudd enjoys a big lead as preferred PM, the poll shows if Malcolm Turnbull became Liberal leader, he would streak ahead of Mr Rudd.
The Galaxy Poll of 1015 voters taken last week reveals 37 per cent say Mr Rudd can be most trusted to keep election promises, compared with 32 per cent believing Mr Abbott.
About 31 per cent were undecided.
It comes despite Mr Rudd's record between 2007 and 2010 when he broke key promises on climate change, childcare and the Budget.
Mr Rudd and Mr Abbott were tied on 41 per cent when voters were asked who they most trusted to manage the economy and restore confidence.
On the question of better PM, Mr Rudd leads Mr Abbott by 51 to 35 per cent - virtually unchanged since he returned as leader four weeks ago. But when asked to choose between Mr Turnbull and Mr Rudd, the former Liberal leader was significantly in front of Mr Rudd by 46 to 38 per cent.
Galaxy Research managing director David Briggs said Labor's resurgence in the poll was due to Mr Rudd's personal popularity and concerns many voters had about Mr Abbott's suitability for the top job.
"Despite Labor's poor track record in implementing policies over the last three years, they still have a chance of an unlikely victory in the forthcoming federal election because Kevin Rudd is considered a better choice than Tony Abbott," Mr Briggs said.
He said the tied result on economic management was significant. "Given that the economy is traditionally a strong suit for the Liberal Party, this result confirms the concerns that some voters have in the leadership skills of Tony Abbott."
Today is Mr Rudd's last chance to call an election for August 31 but it is considered unlikely. The hot date for the poll is now September 21 - Mr Rudd's 56th birthday, the first day of the Victorian state school holidays and the weekend of AFL preliminary finals.
Mr Abbott said Mr Rudd was "running away from an election on the 31st of August" and the Government was "in panic" over the poor state of the Budget.
"Three years is up. Mr Rudd, call the election, stop running away from the public," he said.
Acting PM Anthony Albanese called on Mr Abbott to "calm down".
"He's starting to sound hysterical," he said.
"Kevin Rudd will call an election in good time."