The latest Herald/Neilsen poll is out and it has already dropped off the front page of SMH's internet page.

If an election were held today, Labor would win comfortably. The primary vote is tied at 42 per cent, giving Labor a two-party-preferred lead of 53 per cent to 47 per cent. A month ago, Labor led by 54 per cent to 46 per cent but the change is not considered statistically significant.

And on the health plan the voters are more enthusiastic.

The thrust of Mr Rudd's health reform plan is for the Commonwealth to become the dominant funder of public hospital and health services. The poll finds 79 per cent of voters back this approach. In NSW support is the strongest at 85 per cent.

A problem I see here for Abbott, is that if he opposes the plan for federal funding he risks alienating the 8 in 10 voters. His continual rejection of all of the governments plans could end up hurting him in the long run.

And so, after so many weeks of really bad reporting - the ALP is still the preferred party to lead the country,