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Interest in Federal Politics

2 May 2011

Q. When it comes to following Federal politics, which best describes you?

Total Vote Labor Vote Lib/Nat Vote Greens Aged 18-34 Aged 35-54 Aged 55+
I follow it closely 10% 12% 13% 8% 7% 10% 17%
I follow it enough to know what’s happening 45% 46% 49% 45% 30% 49% 57%
I follow it when something big is happening 18% 19% 20% 24% 27% 14% 15%
I only pay attention when there’s an election 8% 7% 9% 6% 13% 8% 3%
I have no interest in politics 14% 14% 8% 15% 17% 16% 6%
Can’t say 4% 2% 1% 2% 6% 4% 2%

55% say they follow Federal politics closely or enough to know what’s happening, 26% follow it only at elections or when something big is happening and 14% have no interest in politics.

Older respondents tended to follow Federal politics more closely than younger respondents – 74% of those aged 55+ follow it closely or enough to know what’s happening compared to only 37% of those aged 18-34. Greens voters (53%) were a little less likely to follow politics than Labor (58%) or Liberal/National voters (62%).

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