John Howard won four elections as Liberal leader and he believes Scott Morrison can defy the polls to win the federal election next year.
The former Liberal prime minister, who won in 1996, 1998, 2001 and 2004 before losing to Kevin Rudd in 2007, says Mr Morrison has some things going for him.
"I believe Scott Morrison can win the next election. I believe there are a number of things working in his favour," Mr Howard told AAP on Tuesday.
"To start with there's no 'it's time' factor. The economy is running well and we still have a huge equity in economic management.
"And the Labor party once again is starting to wobble on border protection. They wobbled after Mr Rudd was elected, they haven't changed. They will wobble again if they get elected."
Labor has led the coalition 55 per cent to 45 per cent in the two-party preferred vote in the past three Newspolls, while Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has closed the gap as preferred prime minister.
But Mr Howard said Mr Shorten's tax plans and union links would hurt him.
"I don't think he's looking like an alternative prime minister. He will be run by the unions and I don't think Australia wants a prime minister run by the unions," he said.
"Bob Hawke was not run by the unions and he might have been president of the ACTU, but he was far less subservient to the union movement than Bill Shorten has demonstrated."
Australian Associated Press
