Groups that benefit from free trade agreements

Q. How much do you think the following benefit from Free Trade agreements with other countries? 

	Total some/a lot		A lot of benefit	Some benefit	Little benefit	No benefit	Don’t know		Nov 2014 some/a lot
The Australian Government	59%		20%	39%	14%	5%	22%		52%
Australian businesses overall	59%		19%	40%	14%	5%	22%		44%
Mining companies	58%		26%	32%	12%	6%	24%		48%
The Australian economy in general	51%		13%	38%	20%	7%	21%		37%
Manufacturing firms	50%		16%	34%	18%	10%	23%		34%
Tourism operators	48%		17%	31%	19%	9%	25%		41%
Farmers	45%		16%	29%	19%	13%	22%		37%
Working people	41%		11%	30%	22%	16%	22%		25%

A majority think that there are some or a lot of benefit from free trade for the Australian Government (59%), businesses overall (59%), mining companies (58%), the Australian economy in general (51%) and manufacturing companies (50%).

There was least benefit for working people (41% benefit/38% little or no benefit).

There have been substantial increases in perceptions of benefit from free trade for all groups since this question was asked in November 2014.