Approval of return to surplus

Q. Do you approve or disapprove of the Government’s intention to return the budget to surplus this financial year, even if it means making more spending cuts?

37% approve of returning the budget to surplus even if it means spending cuts and 43% disapprove.

Labor voters (52%) and Greens voters (43%) are more likely to approve but 54% Liberal/National voters disapprove. There were no substantial differences across demographics.

Job security

Q. How concerned are you that you or some member of your immediate family will lose their job in the next year or so: very concerned, somewhat concerned, or not at all concerned? 

Concern over job security has risen since the last time the question was polled, increasing 7 points from 49% in March to 56% (total concerned).

In the 12 months from July 2011, total concern has increased from 45% to 56%.

Coalition voters are the most likely to be concerned that they or a member of their immediately family will lose their job in the next year or so (up 12% to 67% total concerned), whereas Greens voters are less likely to be concerned (up 4% to 38% total concerned).

Those most concerned were aged 45-64 (62%), part-time workers (63%) and women (61%).  Among the under 25’s, 40% were concerned and 43% not concerned.