Support for the Coalition has surged to a five-month high in the wake of the federal government’s increased focus on national and international security.

Figures in the latest Newspoll conducted for The Australian show Prime Minister Tony Abbott is now preferred leader, sitting comfortably ahead of Bill Shorten at 41 per cent to 37.

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Both men were tied at 37 per cent in the previous Newspoll conducted in the first week of September.

The Coalition’s primary vote grew two points to 41 per cent, widening the gap on the Labor Party, which dropped one point to 34 per cent.

The government’s primary vote now sits at its highest since April, when unpopular budget measures saw the Coalition’s approval plummet.

The poll comes in the wake of military action in Iraq and counter terror raids in Sydney and Brisbane last week.

The Greens’ primary vote dropped significantly after enjoying a large gain in the previous poll. The party has a primary vote of 11 per cent, falling from 14 per cent in the last few weeks.