Q. Thinking about the Australian manufacturing industry, which of the following statements is closest to your view?

61% agree that “With Government support, Australia can have a successful manufacturing industry” and 22% agree “There is no future for manufacturing in Australia and Government support would be a waste of money”. Those who think that “Australia can have a successful manufacturing industry” has dropped 2% and those thinking “There is no future for manufacturing in Australia” has increased 5% since this question was last asked in August.

Those most likely to agree that “Australia can have a successful manufacturing industry” were aged 35+ (65%), Labor voters (70%) and people on income of $600-$1,000pw (67%).

Those most likely to agree that “There is no future for manufacturing in Australia” were men (28%), Liberal/National voters (31%) and people on incomes over $1,600pw (29%).

Q. Do you think other manufacturing sectors that are under pressure from the high Australian dollar should receive similar assistance from Governments, or do you think the car industry needs special assistance?

62% thought that other manufacturing industries should receive similar assistance and only 12% thought the car industry needs special assistance. There were no major differences across demographic and voter groups – although strongest support for similar assistance for other industries came from Greens voters (68%), aged 45+ (69%) and Victorian residents (68%).

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Q. A number of politicians have said about the manufacturing industry that Australia should be an economy that “makes things.” Do you agree or disagree?

There was strong agreement with the idea that Australia should be an economy that “makes things”. 79% agreed and only 6% of respondents disagreed.

84% of both Labor and Liberal/National voters agreed – but generally results were similar across demographic groups.

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