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Important election issues

11 Oct 2010

Q. Which are the three most important issues in deciding how you would vote at a Federal election? (Number from 1 to 3 where 1 is the most important, 2 the second most important, etc)

One Two Three Total Total 10th May 10 Total 25th Jan 10
Management of the economy 38% 15% 9% 62% 62% 63%
Ensuring a quality education for all children 6% 12% 14% 32% 19% 23%
Ensuring the quality of Australia’s health system 14% 21% 13% 48% 50% 48%
Protecting the environment 3% 4% 5% 12% 13% 16%
A fair industrial relations system 3% 5% 3% 11% 10% *
Political leadership 6% 5% 5% 16% 12% 23%
Addressing climate change 4% 3% 4% 11% 12% 16%
Controlling interest rates 4% 6% 7% 17% 16% 15%
Australian jobs and protection of local industries 8% 10% 12% 30% 29% 33%
Ensuring a quality water supply 1% 3% 2% 6% 7% 12%
Housing affordability 5% 4% 8% 17% 17% 14%
Ensuring a fair taxation system 4% 5% 7% 16% 17% 14%
Security and the war on terrorism 1% 2% 3% 6% 7% 9%
Treatment of asylum seekers 1% 2% 2% 5% * *
Managing population growth 2% 3% 5% 10% 14% *

*Not asked

62% of people surveyed rate management of the economy as one of their three most important issues, followed by 48% ensuring the quality of Australia’s health system, 32% ensuring a quality education for all children and 30% Australian jobs and protection of local industries.

Only 11% rate addressing climate change as one of their three most important issues and 6% rate ensuring a quality water supply.   The major change since the previous survey in May, was an increase in the importance of ensuring a quality education for all children from 19% to 32%.

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