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Groups that benefit from free trade agreements

31 Jan 2017

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.

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