Polls put Abbott under pump

Tony Abbott's unpopularity in two opinion polls has Liberals suggesting the Opposition Leader change gear and start spelling out a positive alternative.

With both the Nielsen poll and Newspoll finding Mr Abbott's combative style a turn-off for voters, one Liberal MP said it was time for Mr Abbott to develop a more "sophisticated" argument on the carbon tax.

Another Liberal told _The West Australian _ that Mr Abbott would benefit from being less in the public eye and leave the more aggressive attacks to others.

On a two-party preferred status, Newspoll said the Federal contest had narrowed to 50-50, while Nielsen found it was 53-47 in favour of the coalition.

On the question of preferred prime minister, Newspoll shows Julia Gillard has a commanding 14-point lead over Mr Abbott, 46 per cent to 32 per cent, while Nielsen had it at a tighter 47-44.