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Important election issues

30 Jul 2012

Q.  Which are the three most important issues in deciding how you would vote at a Federal election?

 

First

Second

Third

Total

30 Jul 12

5 Dec 11

6 June 11

25 Jan 10

Management of the economy

38%

16%

10%

64%

62%

61%

63%

Ensuring a quality education for all children

5%

10%

11%

26%

22%

26%

23%

Ensuring the quality of Australia’s health system

10%

19%

18%

47%

47%

49%

48%

Protecting the environment

3%

4%

4%

11%

13%

15%

16%

A fair industrial relations system

4%

3%

5%

12%

11%

8%

*

Political leadership

11%

7%

7%

25%

18%

17%

23%

Addressing climate change

3%

3%

3%

9%

10%

15%

16%

Controlling interest rates

2%

2%

5%

9%

11%

13%

15%

Australian jobs and protection of local industries

13%

15%

13%

41%

36%

32%

33%

Ensuring a quality water supply

*

1%

2%

3%

4%

5%

12%

Housing affordability

3%

5%

5%

13%

13%

16%

14%

Ensuring a fair taxation system

4%

7%

7%

18%

16%

17%

14%

Security and the war on terrorism

1%

1%

3%

5%

4%

8%

9%

Treatment of asylum seekers

3%

4%

3%

10%

8%

5%

*

Managing population growth

2%

3%

3%

8%

8%

12%

*

*Not asked

64% of people surveyed rated management of the economy as one of their three most important issues, followed by 47% ensuring the quality of Australia’s health system and 41% Australian jobs and protection of local industries.

Since December, there has been an increase in the importance of political leadership (+7%), Australian jobs and protection of local industries (+5%) and ensuring a quality education for all children (+4%).

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