A border security row and economic woes have dented the popularity of Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, but his centre-left government maintains a commanding lead over conservatives, a poll showed on Tuesday. 

Rudd, who faces re-election by late next year, saw support for his performance drop two points to 66 per cent after an explosion last week on a boat carrying scores of Afghan refugees killed three and reopened old divisions about asylum policy.

Support for Rudd's Labor government remained at 58 per cent, 16 points clear of the main opposition Liberal Party, the closely watched Newspoll in the Australian newspaper showed.

Rudd also continues to be preferred as prime minister by 67 per cent of the 1,203 voters polled, while support for opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull nudged up one point to 19 per cent.

The poll was carried out at the weekend after the asylum boat explosion, which sparked fierce debate about Rudd's decision last year to soften the tough border protection policies of the previous conservative government, which was ousted in 2007.

Australia is expected soon to feel the worst of its current recession, just as it heads toward the next election, but Rudd's government is still expected by political analysts to serve at least two three-year terms.

Last week, while the country focused on the asylum-seeker tragedy, Treasurer Wayne Swan warned the coming May 12 budget would contain forecasts "substantially worse" than February mini-budget forecasts for growth and revenue.

The government in February forecast unemployment would hit 7 per cent by June next year, with economic growth next financial year of 0.75 per cent and a deficit of A$35.5 billion ($24.8 billion; Dh91 billion).

Rudd and Swan hope A$52 billion in stimulus spending, including cash handouts for families and pensioners, and new infrastructure and schools spending, will help the economy weather the downturn. 

 

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