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Reasons Government is Unpopular

28 May 2012

Q. Although Australia’s economy is doing very well, according to opinion polls the Government is very unpopular. What do you think is the main reason for this? *

 

Total

Vote Labor

Vote Lib/Nat

Vote Greens

Voters don’t trust the Prime Minister

28%

21%

35%

44%

The carbon tax will increase the cost of living

17%

17%

19%

8%

The economy is doing well for other reasons, like China and the mining boom, not because of the government

15%

13%

19%

5%

Voters are still angry about the treatment of Kevin Rudd.

12%

18%

6%

14%

Voters aren’t benefiting from the strong economy.

12%

10%

14%

8%

The government looks sleazy because of Craig Thomson and Peter Slipper.

4%

5%

3%

8%

Some other reason

8%

12%

3%

11%

Don’t know

3%

5%

1%

3

* Based on those who agree the economy is good.

Respondents who thought the economy was doing well, thought the main reasons for the Government’s unpopularity were that voters don’t trust the Prime Minister (28%), that the carbon tax will increase the cost of living (17%) and that the economy is doing well for other reasons, not because of the Government (15%).

Both Liberal/National and Greens voters said trust in the Prime Minister was the key issue, while Labor voters were somewhat more likely to nominate anger over the treatment of Kevin Rudd.

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