JOHN Howard and the Coalition have bounced back to an election-winning lead three weeks after the budget - their best position since Mark Latham took over as Labor leader.
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In what appears to be a delayed reaction to the budget, there has been a startling 13 percentage-point turnaround in the primary vote, giving the Coalition a 10-point lead over Labor.

In the past two weeks, Coalition support has jumped from 41 per cent to 47 per cent, its highest primary vote in a year, according to a Newspoll survey taken last weekend exclusively for The Australian.

The Government had hoped for a poll boost after the $52billion giveaway budget with its tax cuts and family benefits, but immediately became embroiled in destabilising speculation about Peter Costello's leadership ambitions, the US abuse of Iraqi prisoners and the travel rorts backlash.

Since March this year, when Mr Latham virtually equalled Mr Howard as preferred prime minister - 42 per cent against 43 per cent - Mr Latham's support has steadily declined by 10 points to 32 per cent.