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Party best at

25 Jan 2010

Q. Which party do you think is best at handling each of the following issues?

  Labor Liberal Labor margin No difference Don’t know Labor margin Oct 09
A fair industrial relations system 42% 23% +19% 19% 16% +27%
Addressing climate change 35% 16% +19% 29% 19% +18%
Protecting the environment 32% 15% +17% 34% 19% +21%
Australian jobs and protection of local industries 35% 22% +13% 26% 17% +17%
Ensuring a quality education for all children 32% 20% +12% 32% 17% +17%
Political leadership 36% 25% +11% 23% 16% +20%
Ensuring a quality water supply 24% 17% +7% 38% 20% +13%
Ensuring the quality of Australia’s health system  27% 21% +6% 34% 19% +10%
Ensuring a fair taxation system 30% 24% +6% 28% 18% +8%
Housing affordability 23% 19% +4% 38% 20% +9%
Management of the economy 28% 35% -7% 20% 16%
Security and the war on terrorism 18% 25% -7% 38% 19% +2%
Controlling interest rates 20% 28% -8% 34% 18%

 Labor has its strongest lead over the Liberal Party when it comes to a fair industrial relations system (+19%), addressing climate change (+19%) and protecting the environment (+17%).   Labor trails the Liberal Party in terms of controlling interest rates (-8%), security and the war on terrorism (-7%) and management of the economy (-7%).  

 Since October 2009, Labor has lost the margin it had over the Liberal Party in some areas, most significantly in the areas of political leadership (-9%), a fair industrial relations system (-8%), ensuring a quality water supply (-6%).  

 Results followed party lines with Labor voters tending to favour the Labor Party and Liberal voters favouring the Liberal Party.

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