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  • Oct, 2012

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    Major spending initiatives of the federal government

    Q. The federal government has recently announced a number of major spending initiatives on health, education and defence reforms that will involve substantial investment over the next few years.  For each of the reforms as they are described below, please indicate whether you believe it should be implemented or not

     

    Implement the reform if it means higher taxes (including corporate and mining taxes) and cuts in other areas

    Do not implement the reform if it means higher taxes (including corporate and mining taxes) or cuts in other areas

    No opinion

    National Disability Insurance Scheme to improve care and support for all people in Australia with a significant and permanent disability

    58%

    22%

    20%

    New dental health scheme to provide free dental care for low-income patients and children

    53%

    29%

    18%

    Gonski reforms to education to increase funding for each primary and secondary school student across the country

    48%

    30%

    21%

    Purchase of new advanced submarines for the Australian Defence Force

    24%

    50%

    26%

    The majority of respondents support implementing the NDIS (58%) and the new dental health scheme (53%) if it means higher taxes (including corporate and mining taxes) and cuts in other areas.

    A large portion of respondents (48%) also agree with implementing the Gonski reforms if it means higher taxes and cuts in other areas, whereas 30% would prefer to see these reforms not implemented.

    On the purchase of new submarines for the ADF, most respondents felt that this reform should not be implemented if it means higher taxes and cuts in other areas (50%), whilst 24% are in favour of implementing the reform.

  • May, 2011

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    Troops in Afghanistan

    Q.  Thinking about the Australian troops in Afghanistan, do you think Australia should –

    25 Oct 10 21 Mar 11 Total Vote Labor Vote Lib/Nat Vote Greens
    Increase the number of troops in Afghanistan 10% 5% 6% 4% 8% 1%
    Keep the same number of troops in Afghanistan 30% 30% 36% 37% 43% 25%
    Withdraw our troops from Afghanistan 47% 56% 48% 49% 41% 65%
    Don’t know 14% 9% 11% 10% 8% 9%

    42% think that the Australian troops in Afghanistan should be increased or maintained and 48% think Australia should withdraw its troops. This is a significant drop (-8%) in support for withdrawal since this question was last asked in March.

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