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Spending Funds for Flood Damage

31 Jan 2011

Q. If the Government introduces a levy to pay for flood damage, which of the following should the Government spend those funds on?

Yes No Don’t know Vote Labor Vote Lib/Nat Vote Greens
Replace and repair infrastructure – e.g. roads, rail, power, telecommunications 92% 3% 5% 92% 95% 95%
Replace and repair public buildings – e.g. schools, hospitals 92% 3% 5% 93% 93% 95%
Compensate individuals who were not insured for flood damage 35% 42% 22% 37% 35% 34%
Compensate businesses for lost income 36% 43% 20% 40% 36% 33%
Compensate farmers for lost income 58% 26% 16% 61% 58% 54%
Compensate workers for lost wages 43% 37% 20% 50% 41% 36%
Compensation for all people affected – regardless of whether or not they have insurance cover 30% 51% 19% 32% 31% 23%

Respondents overwhelmingly supported using Government funding for rebuilding infrastructure and public buildings (92%).

A majority (58%) also supported compensating farmers for lost income. However, they were more likely to oppose compensating businesses or those who were not insured for flood damage. Only 30% supported Government funding for anyone affected.

There were relatively small differences between voter groups – except for compensating workers for lost wages which 50% of Labor voters supported compared to 41% of Lib/Nat voters and 36% of Greens voters.

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