A senior Labor frontbencher insists his party has a real chance of winning the federal election in the wake of upbeat polling results for the ALP.
Speaking on Sunday, opposition infrastructure, transport and tourism spokesman Anthony Albanese was confident Labor could defeat Malcolm Turnbull's coalition government at the election, which is due to be held at some point this year.
"I think we are very competitive," he told ABC television.
"Every single election is winnable and this one is certainly winnable. People expected when Malcolm Turnbull took over from Tony Abbott something different.
"What they have got is Tony Abbott in a top hat ... The big problem is Malcolm Turnbull at war with himself. On climate change, on marriage equality, on actually funding public transport. On the Republic even."
In the interview, the Labor veteran also backed his party's opposition to senate voting reforms and said he would not be surprised if a double dissolution election was called by the PM after May's budget.
Albanese's comments on his party's election chances follow Monday's Newspoll that showed support for Labor is on par with the coalition on a two-party preferred basis. Three weeks ago, the government held a six percentage point lead over the ALP.
While Labor has gained ground, opposition leader Bill Shorten continues to lag Turnbull as preferred leader by 55 percent to 21 percent, according to Newspoll.
Albanese, who has been touted as a future Labor leader, refused to be drawn on a potential tilt at the ALP top job, repeatedly saying he intended only to help the party win the election.
"I intend to be a minister in a Labor Government," he added.