21 May 12, 210512, Australian Government, class warefare, Mining Boom, opposition, tax
Q. The Federal Opposition has accused the Government of “class warfare” for criticising and increasing taxes for Australia’s richest people and companies. The Government says they are just trying to ensure that all Australians benefit from the mining boom and other wealth derived from Australia’s resources and economic development. Which position do you most agree with?
|
Total |
Vote Labor |
Vote Lib/Nat |
Vote Greens |
|
| The Government |
46% |
77% |
20% |
77% |
| The Opposition |
28% |
5% |
56% |
5% |
| Don’t know |
26% |
18% |
25% |
18% |
28% agree with the Federal Opposition’s claim that the Government is carrying out “class warfare” and 46% agree with the Government’s position that they are just trying to ensure that all Australians benefit from the mining boom.
Those on higher incomes were only a little more likely to agree with the Opposition. For those earning less than $600pw, 53% agree with the Government and 23% agree with the Opposition. For those on incomes over $1,600pw, 45% agree with the Government and 31% with the Opposition.
Australian Government, EMC, Essential Report, Greens, Julian Assange, Labor, Liberal, Wikileaks, Wikileaks material
Q. The online organisation Wikileaks, which is headed by the Australian Julian Assange, has released diplomatic material leaked to it by an American source. It has also provided this material to other media which have also published information about the leaks. Do you approve or disapprove of Wikileaks and media outlets releasing this material?
| Total | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | |
| Total approve | 53% | 55% | 51% | 80% |
| Total disapprove | 25% | 30% | 30% | 5% |
| Strongly approve | 20% | 21% | 17% | 35% |
| Approve | 33% | 34% | 34% | 45% |
| Disapprove | 14% | 16% | 18% | 3% |
| Strongly disapprove | 11% | 14% | 12% | 2% |
| Don’t know | 22% | 16% | 19% | 15% |
53% approve Wikileaks and other media outlets releasing leaked US diplomatic material and 25% disapprove – 22% do not have an opinion. There was majority approval from supporters of each major party.
There was also majority approval from all age groups – aged under 35 54% approve/17% disapprove, aged 35-54 51% approve/26% disapprove, aged 55+ 56% apperove/34% disapprove.
Australian Government, EMC, Essential Report, Greens, Julia Gillard, Julian Assange, Labor, Liberal, Wikileaks, Wikileaks material
Q. The Australian Government has condemned the release of the Wikileaks material and the Prime Minister Julia Gillard has called it “grossly irresponsible” and “illegal”. Do you approve or disapprove of the response of the Prime Minister and the Australian Government to the publication of the Wikileaks material?
| Total | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | |
| Total approve | 32% | 45% | 28% | 17% |
| Total disapprove | 46% | 38% | 54% | 66% |
| Strongly approve | 11% | 18% | 8% | 1% |
| Approve | 21% | 27% | 20% | 16% |
| Disapprove | 27% | 24% | 31% | 32% |
| Strongly disapprove | 19% | 14% | 23% | 34% |
| Don’t know | 21% | 17% | 17% | 17% |
46% disapprove of the Australian Government’s response to the publication of the Wikileaks material and 32% approve – 21% have no opinion. A majority of Coalition (54%) and Greens voters (66%) disapproved while Labor voters were more likely to approve (45%/38%).
Australian Government, EMC, Essential Report, freedom of information, freedom of speech, Greens, Julian Assange, Labor, Liberal, support for Julian Assange, Wikileaks
Q. The US Government is reportedly intending to lay charges against Julian Assange as head of Wikileaks. Should Julian Assange receive support and assistance from the Australian Government if he is charged with an offence by the US or another country?
| Total | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | |
| Should receive support and assistance | 50% | 52% | 50% | 76% |
| Should not receive support and assistance | 26% | 29% | 27% | 14% |
| Don’t know | 24% | 19% | 23% | 10% |
50% believe that Julian Assange should receive support and assistance from the Australian Government if he is charged with an offence by the US or another country and 26% think he should not – 24% have no opinion. A majority of voters for each of the major parties believed that Government support should be given.