Coalition would still win election, finds poll following Kevin Rudd's comeback PM Kevin Rudd gives a passionate speech during Question Time at Parliament yesterday. ONE of the first opinion polls after Kevin Rudd's return as Labor leader shows the Coalition still on track for an election win. The poll of 3000 respondents, taken on Thursday night, still has the Opposition leading the government despite a big improvement in the Labor vote. The Coalition leads 52-48 per cent after preferences. If that result was repeated at an election, Tony Abbott would be able to form government with a comfortable majority of about 20 seats. Howard rallies to Tony's cause Rudd push to dump carbon tax Rudd slammed in UK over Gillard Peter Garrett's 'dark night of the souls' Rudd gives 'be nice' lecture Mr Rudd is preferred Prime Minister in the 7News Reachtel poll, leading Mr Abbott 52-48 per cent. Voters were evenly split on the merits of the Labor leadership change with 44 per cent agreeing with the decision to replace Julia Gillard with Mr Rudd, while 42 per cent disagreed. Labor cabinet minister Jason Clare today said the return of Mr Rudd has spooked the Coalition, which thought it would have an easy win at this year's Federal Election. "The Liberal party has been very cocky for three years; they weren't cocky yesterday," the Home Affairs Minister told the Nine Network today. They know now that the fight is on and there's a real competition at the next election. Mr Clare said he switched his vote from Ms Gillard to Mr Rudd at Wednesday's leadership ballot because he believed Labor was heading to a massive defeat under her leadership. This makes us more competitive. I can tell that just from yesterday in the Parliament. He said he spoke to her ahead of the vote to explain his decision, and described her as "an woman of incredible grace, incredible class." Like other ministers, he flagged the September 14 election date was likely to be changed. Deputy opposition leader Julie Bishop called on Mr Rudd to end speculation about an election date. "The Australian people deserve better; they deserve stable, competent government, and they deserve to know when the election will be," she told Nine. She said the return of Mr Rudd did not mean the Liberal Party would need to change its tactics. Why do we need to change our tactics? We've been expecting this," Ms Bishop said. She also disputed the new leader has boosted Labor's chances at the polls. I don't accept that because the policies are still the same. Shadow treasurer Joe Hockey said the Rudd government was already in disarray, with a third of the cabinet having resigned and major policies up in the air. This is a joke, it's a bad joke. The Australian people are paying a price, that's the problem," he told Seven this morning.