Q. Do you think Australia needs a larger population, a smaller population or about the same population in the following areas?
|
Larger population |
Smaller population |
Same population |
Don’t know |
Large capital cities – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane |
7% |
36% |
51% |
6% |
Other capital cities like Adelaide, Perth, Hobart |
36% |
12% |
44% |
7% |
Major regional centres |
56% |
8% |
28% |
8% |
Smaller regional towns |
64% |
6% |
22% |
7% |
There was strong support for increased population in the less populated areas of Australia.
Only 7% supported larger populations in the major capitals cities, while 36% supported larger populations in Adelaide, Perth and Hobart.
More than half supported larger populations in major regional centres (56%) and smaller regional towns (64%).
Opinions about the populations of the major capitals were similar across states, but respondents from SA/WA/Tasmania were less likely to want larger populations in their capitals cities (22% want larger population and 61% the same population).
Liberal voters and Greens voters were more likely to favour larger populations in regional areas. 61% of Liberal voters favoured larger populations in regional centres and 70% in smaller towns. 70% of Greens voters favoured larger populations in regional centres and 79% in smaller towns.