Malcolm's big move crushes Labor hopes and hearts

A new poll taken after Malcolm Turnbull overthrew Tony Abbott as prime minister shows the coalition ahead of Labor for the first time in 16 months.

Mr Turnbull has also opened a lead of more than two to one over Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, according to the national Galaxy poll, published by News Corp on Friday.

The poll, taken after Monday night's coup, recorded a three-point bounce in the coalition's primary vote since May from 41 to 44 per cent, and showed it leading Labor on a two-party preferred basis by 51-49.

In the poll of 1224 voters, 51 per cent rated Mr Turnbull as preferred prime minister compared to 20 per cent for Mr Shorten.

In a further troubling sign for Mr Shorten's leadership, 27 per cent of Labor voters said they preferred Mr Turnbull as prime minister.

It comes just days after a 7News/ReachTEL poll produced startling results for Malcolm Turnbull that showed he is already the country's preferred choice as Prime Minister and he's likely to win the next election.

Question 1.

At the upcoming by election on September 19th, which of the following will receive your first preference vote?

Question 2.

Now, please consider a different scenario where Malcolm Turnbull is the leader of the Coalition.

At the upcoming by election on September 19th, which of the following will receive your first preference vote?

Question 3.

Who of the following do you think would make the better leader of the Coalition?

Question 4.

Thinking about the next Federal election, who do you think would have a better chance of winning for the Coalition?

Opinion polls play a key role in Australian politics and Abbott's poor showing over the past year, in contrast to Turnbull's popularity among voters, helped to undermine his leadership.

Turnbull, a 60-year-old multi-millionaire former banker and businessman, also polled well against Labor leader Bill Shorten, garnering 61.9 percent of support compared to his rival's 38.1 percent in a question about who would make the better prime minister.

Abbott lagged behind Shorten 42.1 percent to 57.9 percent on a similar question put to voters in late August.

The survey -- conducted on Tuesday night and published by 7 News on Wednesday night -- recorded an increase in support for the Liberals in a key Western Australian seat holding a by-election on Saturday.

Although the Liberals were expected to retain the seat vacated after the death of local member Don Randall, surveys previously indicated a swing away from the conservative party of 10 percent, amid the Abbott government's unpopularity.

Liberal concern about a second by-election in Abbott's Sydney seat of Warringah has lifted with the former leader saying he intends to stay in parliament.

"It's been a tumultuous week and I now intend to spend some time with my family to think about the future," Abbott told News Corp.

"But my intention is to remain in the parliament."

The latest polls came as Turnbull promised to stick with Abbott's plan to hold a referendum on same-sex marriage after the next election despite a new parliamentary committee report recommending a vote on the issue be held in parliament.

"Our policy is to have it (the referendum) after the next federal election," Turnbull, who is well-known for his support for gay marriage, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation late Wednesday.

"Any policy can be changed but it would have to be considered by the cabinet and then obviously the party room (a meeting of lawmakers)," he added when pressed about whether any changes to the policy were possible.

Independent senator Glenn Lazarus, chair of the Senate committee, which has a majority of Labor members, warned a plebiscite could attract "very nasty and very aggressive advertising campaigns".

Same-sex couples can enter into civil unions or register their relationships in most Australian states, but the government does not consider them married under national law.