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Impact of Cutting Public Sector

28 Aug 2012

Q. The Liberal and National Parties have said they will cut between $50 billion and $70 billion from the Commonwealth public sector if they win the next election and the Treasurer Joe Hockey has said at least 12,000 jobs will be cut.

Do you think cutting at least 12,000 jobs from the Commonwealth public sector will result in better or worse service to the people of Australia?

 

Total

Vote

Labor

Vote

Lib/Nat

Vote

Greens

Total better service

14%

7%

25%

3%

Total worse service

53%

77%

31%

74%

Much better service

6%

1%

13%

1%

A little better service

8%

6%

12%

2%

Make no difference

23%

10%

37%

12%

A little worse service

19%

19%

19%

19%

Much worse service

34%

58%

12%

55%

Don’t know

10%

6%

8%

12%

53% thought that cutting 12,000 jobs from the Commonwealth public sector would result in worse service and 14% thought it result in better service. 23% thought it would make no difference.

Those mostly likely to think it would result in worse service were aged 18-24 (64%), Labor voters (77%), Greens voters (74%) and those on incomes under $600pw (62%). Only 31% of Liberal/National voters thought it would result in worse service.

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