The coalition’s primary vote remains stuck at a four-year low despite the efforts of the federal government to sell the need for controversial measures in the budget, Newspoll suggests.

The latest Newspoll, published in The Australian on Tuesday, has the coalition on a primary vote of 36 per cent while Labor is on 37 per cent, down one point on the previous Newspoll.

The poll says The Greens edged up from 11 per cent to 12 per cent.

Support for independents and minor parties, including the Palmer United Party, was steady on 15 per cent.

Labor leads the coalition 54 per cent to 46 per cent on a two-party preferred basis.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten maintained his 10-point lead as the preferred prime minister, with his support up one point to 45 per cent and Prime Minister Tony Abbott also up one point to 35 per cent.

One in five voters did not prefer either of them.

The survey polled 1158 voters and was taken on the weekend.