Labor says an opinion poll released on Sunday night confirms the federal election in Australia will be a tight contest.
Government Minister Chris Bowen says the Galaxy poll for the Nine Network shows voter support for the ALP has slumped since the election was called on Saturday by new Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
Labor and the Coalition are both on 50%, after preferences.
Labour has slipped 2% since Saturday and the Coalition has gained 2%.
The poll shows primary support for Labor at 38%, down one percentage point from just before the election announcement.
The Coalition's primary vote has increased to 44% - up from 42%. Support for the Greens is running at 12%.
However, the poll showed Ms Gillard well ahead of Coalition leader Tony Abbott as preferred prime minister.
Mr Bowen says the government could lose the election and Labor will have to fight for every vote.
Election writs will be issued on Monday for the poll, on 21 August. The electoral roll closes at 8pm on Monday.
Newspoll result
The latest Newspoll, published in The Australian newspaper on Monday, puts Labor 10 points ahead of the Coalition, with 55% support to the Coalition's 45%.
Support for Labor is four percentage points higher than in the previous Newspoll.
