When it comes down to trust, fewer of us are putting it in Prime Minister Julia Gillard, according to the latest Newspoll in The Australian.
In the first Newspoll survey test of Ms Gillard's trustworthiness since the election and the announcement of a carbon tax, voter support has slumped 17 percentage points, going from 61 points at the 2010 election to 44 last weekend.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott also fell back in the trustworthiness stakes - by four points to 54 - but still maintains a 10-point lead over Ms Gillard.
The paper said the prime minister is losing her battle with Mr Abbott for Australia's political leadership after collapses in voter recognition for her trustworthiness, likability, empathy with voters, strength and ability to manage the economy and national security.
"As Labor's primary vote remains below 30 per cent, the opposition leader has again pegged back Ms Gillard's standing as preferred prime minister, although both leaders continue to be punished by voters," The Australian said on Tuesday.
The Newspoll also shows the coalition maintains a clear election-winning lead over the government.
Primary vote support has remained virtually unchanged for the past three weeks, the coalition on 48 points and Labor on 29.
Voter satisfaction with Ms Gillard slipped three points to 28 while dissatisfaction rose four points to 62 per cent.
Mr Abbott's satisfaction rose three points to 35 and dissatisfaction with the Liberal leader fell four points to 54.
