Reason for changing vote
Q. You say you currently intend to vote for a different party to the one you voted for in the last election. What is the main reason you have changed your vote to that party? (table based on those who have changed their vote)
Total |
Vote Labor |
Vote Lib/Nat |
Vote Greens |
|
They have better policies |
11% |
21% |
15% |
12% |
They have a better leader |
11% |
27% |
7% |
– |
They are more trustworthy |
15% |
7% |
19% |
44% |
They are more competent |
12% |
– |
20% |
7% |
They will be better for Australia’s future |
23% |
35% |
22% |
19% |
They will be better for me personally |
3% |
– |
– |
13% |
Other reason |
18% |
10% |
15% |
4% |
Don’t know |
8% |
2% |
2% |
– |
Note: Samples for voting intention columns are small – 8% of respondents have changed to Liberal/National, 3% to Labor and 2% to the Greens.
22% of those who have changed their vote to Liberal/National say the main reason is they will be better for Australia’s future, 20% say they are more competent and 19% more trustworthy.
Although sample sizes are very small, those changing their vote to Labor say they will be better for Australia’s future (35%) and they have a better leader (27%). Those switching their vote to the Greens tend to say they are more trustworthy (44%).
Party with better policies
Q. Which party do you think has the better policies for the following groups of people?
Labor Party |
Liberal Party |
No difference |
Don’t know |
Net 11 Feb 13 |
Net 6 Aug 12 |
|
Pensioners |
32% |
23% |
31% |
15% |
+9 |
+11 |
Unemployed people |
34% |
21% |
30% |
15% |
+13 |
+18 |
People with disabilities |
35% |
20% |
29% |
17% |
+15 |
+16 |
Carers |
30% |
22% |
30% |
19% |
+8 |
+12 |
People on low incomes |
37% |
21% |
26% |
16% |
+16 |
+22 |
All working people |
32% |
31% |
23% |
14% |
+1 |
-1 |
The Labor Party was thought to have better policies than the Liberal Party on all issues except “all working people” where both parties had similar ratings. In particular the Labor Party was thought to have better policies for people on low incomes (37% Labor/21% Liberal), unemployed people (34%/21%) and people with disabilities (35%/20%).
Of those aged 55+, 31% thought Labor had better policies for pensioners and 30% thought the Liberals had better policies.
32% think Labor has better policies for all working people and 31% think the Liberals have better policies. Employed people are more likely to think the Liberals have the better policies (35% Liberal/31% Labor).

COVID-19 RESEARCH
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Two Party Preferred:
In this week's report:
- Performance of Scott Morrison
- Performance of Anthony Albanese
- Preferred Prime Minister
- Top Federal Government priorities for 2021
- Uptake of a Covid-19 vaccine
- Perceptions of change in the standard of living for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- Changing views towards Australia Day
- Support towards a separate national day
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