Former prime minister Tony Abbott has admitted the latest Newspoll result “isn’t great” for the federal government.

Labor has extended its lead over the Coalition 55 to 45 per cent, two-party preferred, with Scott Morrison losing ground as preferred Prime Minister.

It’s the second poll in a row showing a slide in support for the government.

But Mr Abbott tells Ray Hadley no-one should be writing off the government’s chances at the next election.

“Obviously the polls, are not great.”

“Sure we’ve had our ups and downs, but we have essentially been a strong and competent government over the last five years.

“But I think we will be a better government in the months and years to come.

“I don’t think anyone should write this Coalition government off yet.”

Click PLAY below to hear the full interview 

On Friday’s Bourke Street terror attack, the former PM says “there are a small number of people living in our midst that wish to do to us harm”.

“That’s the tragedy of this time.

“They think that there is something wrong, evil, almost satanic, with the way that we live and this is their response.

“There is this small majority who have this death to the infidel mindset.

“A handful of evil terrorists bring discredit on a whole population, and that’s wrong.”