They'll keep carrying on, says PM

A Galaxy poll for News Limited has found Julia Gillard's political fightback is stalling.

• Just one in five voters believe PM has been completely honest
• Tony Abbott would be elected prime minister if an election were held now
• Half of Labor voters believe the allegations do not warrant another airing

PRIME Minister Julia Gillard says the Opposition will continue to target her over her legal work for the Australian Workers' Union, with a poll showing more than 30 per cent of respondents believe she lied about her role in the two decades-old controversy.

An exclusive poll conducted for News Limited this week has found the political fightback of Julia Gillard is stalling after a toxic parliamentary year ended with political attacks, smear and accusations of criminal conduct.

Just one in five voters believes she has been completely open and honest - but a majority say it will not change their vote at the next election.

Of 1015 people surveyed across Australia on Thursday and Friday nights, 31 per cent said she had lied and 31 per cent said she was economical with the truth.

Regardless, 56 per cent of voters said it would not influence their vote.

As both Ms Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott appeared back-to-back on Network Ten's Sunday morning TV agenda programs, Ms Gillard predicted the Opposition would continue its attacks on her past involvement with the AWU.

''The Opposition will continue carrying on about this matter, not because they've got any proof, but because they don't have any positive policies for the future,'' Ms Gillard told Meet the Press.

''Mr Abbott's made it perfectly clear that he's going to stay wedded to this sleaze and smear, not only now, but even if he was elected Prime Minister.''

Mr Abbott told the Andrew Bolt program all he really wanted to do was talk about Coalition plans for Australia's future.

''As far as I am concerned, what last week was all about was the Coalition's positive plans for the future,'' he said.

Asked about the AWU issue, he said it was obvious Ms Gillard had misled the West Australian Corporate Affairs Commission, which was an ''unlawful'' act.

He was referring to Ms Gillard's role in advising the commission on the establishment of the Australian Workers' Union Workplace Reform Association in 1990s, and legal advice she gave to former AWU union officials Bruce Wilson and Ralph Blewitt.

Mr Abbott stopped short of endorsing shadow attorney-general George Brandis's claim that ''there's a criminal in The Lodge'', saying he would leave that judgment to lawyers, including Senator Brandis and deputy opposition leader Julie Bishop.

''The point I make is the Prime Minister obviously misled the West Australian Corporate Affairs Commission,'' he said.

''The next point is that it is unlawful to do that.''

According to the Galaxy Poll, 26 per cent said they were less likely to vote Labour and 9 per cent were more likely to vote Labor, suggesting a net loss for Labor in voter intention.

Tony Abbott would be elected prime minister if an election were held now with the Coalition ahead 54 per cent to 46 per cent on a two-party preferred basis.

PM Julia Gillard surrounded by media as she leaves Channel Ten's Parliament House TV studio after appearing on Meet The Press this morning. Picture: Ray Strange

Assuming a uniform national swing, that would deliver the Coalition up to 20 seats if an election was held now including Treasurer Wayne Swan's Queensland electorate and dump and end the political careers of other cabinet ministers including Craig Emerson, Gary Gray and Peter Garrett.

Voters offered strong support - 60 per cent of those surveyed - for the Prime Minister making a full account of her involvement in the affair through a statement to Parliament. Ms Gillard has consistently denied any wrongdoing in lengthy press conferences but a statement to the House would expose her to censure if she was found to have misled Parliament.

Over half of voters - 56 per cent - said the AWU affair would not influence their vote but 26 per cent said it would make them less likely to vote Labor. This sample included Coalition voters.

"Unless Julia Gillard is able to quash these allegations there is a real prospect this issue will effect support for the Labor Party,'' Galaxy's David Briggs said.

"Voters are divided on Julia Gillard's response to the allegations. Only one in five voters believe she has been open and honest while 31 per cent believe that she she has been economical with the truth and 31 per cent believe she has lied.''

Liberal voters make up the lion's share of voters who are convinced the Prime Minister is lying with 50 per cent of Coalition voters surveyed accusing Ms Gillard of not telling the whole truth.

Voters split down party lines with 47 per cent of Labor voters and 8 per cent of Liberal voters backing the Prime Minister as being completely honest over the AWU affair.

Among Coalition voters 81 per cent believe the Prime Minister should explain herself over the AWU affair with a statement to Parliament. That compared to 36 per cent of Labor voters.

But among Labor voters 51 per cent of believe the allegations do not warrant another airing.

Primary vote support for the ALP was just 34 per cent a drop of 1 per cent since the last Galaxy survey on November 2-4 but within the poll's margin of error.

Support for the Coalition increased from 47 to 48 per cent and support for the Greens was unchanged at 11 per cent. Nearly 10 per cent of those surveyed were uncommitted.

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