Another poll shows Rudd-led surge July 1, 2013 - 6:07AM 68 reading now Another opinion poll is showing the Labor party's gamble to return Kevin Rudd to the top job is paying off. The latest Newspoll, published in The Australian on Monday, shows the ALP would still lose the upcoming federal election, but Mr Rudd had improved its primary vote to a six-month high. And Mr Rudd has opened a big lead on Opposition Leader Tony Abbott as the preferred prime minister, improving on deposed prime minister Julia Gillard's last result off 33 per cent by a whopping 16 points. Mr Rudd is the preferred prime minister with 49 per cent - 16 points ahead of Mr Abbott who was on 35 per cent. The ALP primary vote has jumped six percentage points from 29 to 35 per cent while the coalition's primary vote is down to 43 per cent from 48 per cent. However, the coalition still holds a lead of 51 per cent to Labor's 49 on a two party preferred basis. The poll was taken over the weekend, just days after Labor dumped Julia Gillard as prime minister over deep fears that she would lead the party to a catastrophic electoral loss. A 7/Reachtel poll and Galaxy poll taken since last Wednesday's coup have shown a similar bounce in fortunes for the Labor party. Mr Rudd is yet to confirm an election date, but the September 14 date set by Ms Gillard is looking unlikely.