The worst thing to tell someone who is in trouble is that "at least your problems aren't as bad the ones the bloke across the road faces". In other words, things could be worse.
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When assessing Malcolm Turnbull's predicament as Prime Minister, things could indeed be worse – but not much.
After a faint hint that his fortunes might be improving, public voting intentions as expressed in the latest Fairfax Ipsos opinion poll show a lone positive: he's still more popular than Bill Shorten. As preferred prime minister, Mr Turnbull leads 45 per cent to 33 per cent.
Even so, the 12-point gap is the narrowest since the election last July and pales in comparison with the 46 point lead Mr Turnbull enjoyed on that measure after he ousted Tony Abbott in September 2015.
Granted, Mr Turnbull has been preoccupied with trying to shore up his job.
Having been denied by voters the strong mandate he needed, the Prime Minister has had to appease internal rivals on his Right. That's involved dumping sensible climate change policy for the electricity sector; putting his weight behind so-called clean coal measures; vilifying renewables; defending penalty rate cuts; and becoming a convert to culture warrior battles over free speech.
Having failed to get the same-sex marriage plebiscite through the parliament, he has looked weak.
Having an economy with record low interest rates has not helped Treasurer Scott Morrison sell his vision for jobs growth and a company tax cut. The Fairfax Ipsos poll shows 44 per cent support company tax cuts over a decade, but 39 per cent remain opposed. If the policy was split to prioritise tax relief for smaller businesses, it's fair to assume support would be much stronger.
Similarly, 35 per cent of respondents still think tax breaks for investors should be reduced, even after Mr Turnbull's scare campaign against negative gearing limits.
Having endured a ministerial resignation over expenses, along with the threat of coalition MPs crossing the floor on a bank commission, the air of dysfunction has also descended, reducing the time for Prime Ministerial vision.
On a two-party preferred basis, Labor leads 55-45 based on preference flows from the 2016 election.
Combined with the rise of the Greens and ‘others’ nationally as well as in recent state polls it’s a fair indication that the voters are still not happy, Malcolm.