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  • Dec, 2010

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    The Past Year – The Economy and Industries

      Q. Thinking about the last 12 months, has it been a good or bad year for each of the following?

      Total good Total bad Very good Good Neither good nor bad Bad Very bad Don’t know
    The banks 69% 13% 42% 27% 14% 9% 4% 4%
    The mining industry 57% 14% 27% 30% 24% 11% 3% 6%
    Large companies and corporations 44% 15% 10% 34% 35% 13% 2% 7%
    The Australian economy 41% 20% 5% 36% 36% 17% 3% 4%
    The media 30% 14% 8% 22% 45% 10% 4% 10%
    The environment 14% 37% 2% 12% 43% 28% 9% 5%
    Small business 14% 45% 2% 12% 35% 34% 11% 6%
    Farming and agriculture 14% 50% 2% 12% 31% 35% 15% 5%

     A majority of respondents think it has been a good year for the banks (69%) and the mining industry (57%). They are also more likely to think it has been a good year for large companies and corporations (44% good/15% bad), the economy (41%/20%), and the media (30%/14%).

     However, they are more likely to think the year has been bad for farming and agriculture (50%), small business (45%) and the environment (37%).

    In terms of the economy, all voter groups were more likely to think it has been a good year – Labor 55% good/11% bad, Liberal/National 33%/29% and Greens 53%/12%. Comments »

  • Nov, 2010

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    Government Support for Industries

    Q. Thinking about Australian industries and the ways in which the Government can give them assistance and support – which forms of assistance and support do you think the Government should give to the following industries? (multi-response)

      Lower tax rates Direct subsidies and grants Protection from overseas competition Total should give assistance Should not give any assistance Don’t know
    Agriculture 34% 44% 45% 79% 7% 14%
    Renewable energy e.g. solar panels, wind farms 34% 56% 19% 79% 7% 14%
    Other manufacturing e.g. clothing, whitegoods 24% 16% 43% 69% 14% 17%
    Car manufacturing 22% 18% 39% 66% 16% 18%
    Mining 13% 9% 19% 37% 42% 21%
    Banking and finance 13% 3% 12% 25% 57% 18%
    Media e.g. newspapers, TV stations 5% 5% 12% 21% 58% 21%

    More than three-quarters of respondents are in favour of Government assistance and support for agriculture and renewable energy industries. 45% believe that agriculture should receive protection from overseas competition and 56% support direct grants and subsidies for renewable energy.

    About two-thirds are in favour of Government support for car and other manufacturing industries – especially protection from overseas competition.

    Media (21%) and banking and finance (25%) are thought to be least deserving of Government support.

    By voting intention Liberal/National voters were a little more likely to favour Government support for agriculture (87%) and mining (44%). Comments »

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