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Tax reforms to reduce debt from Covid-19
Q. To what extent do you support or oppose the following suggested tax reforms to help reduce any debt Australia may have, as a result of the Covid-19 stimulus packages?
| NET: Support | NET: Oppose | Strongly support | Somewhat support | Neither support nor oppose | Somewhat oppose | Strongly oppose | |
| Prevent companies who are registered in offshore tax havens (such as Switzerland) from accessing Covid-19 government support | 64% | 9% | 43% | 20% | 20% | 5% | 4% |
| Simplify the taxation system to a flat tax rate | 43% | 18% | 16% | 27% | 27% | 10% | 8% |
| Removal of franking credits | 32% | 16% | 15% | 17% | 27% | 10% | 16% |
| Removal of negative gearing | 32% | 25% | 14% | 19% | 30% | 12% | 13% |
| Implement a tax on the value of property or money passed on when someone dies | 18% | 49% | 5% | 12% | 22% | 16% | 33% |
| NET: Support | Gender | Age Group | |||||
| Total | Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | ||
| Prevent companies who are registered in offshore tax havens (such as Switzerland) from accessing Covid-19 government support | 64% | 66% | 61% | 48% | 61% | 80% | |
| Simplify the taxation system to a flat tax rate | 43% | 48% | 38% | 40% | 39% | 48% | |
| Removal of franking credits | 32% | 36% | 28% | 36% | 32% | 28% | |
| Removal of negative gearing | 32% | 36% | 22% | 34% | 32% | 32% | |
| Implement a tax on the value of property or money passed on when someone dies | 18% | 23% | 13% | 27% | 17% | 10% | |
| Base (n) | 1,054 | 526 | 528 | 343 | 332 | 379 | |
- Participants most support preventing companies who are registered in offshore tax havens from accessing Covid-19 government support (64%) and are least supportive of implementing an inheritance tax (18%) to reduce any debt as a result of the Covid-19 stimulus.
- Those aged over 55 are most likely to oppose removal of franking credits (39%), negative gearing (33%) and inheritance tax (63%), however they are most likely to support preventing companies registered in offshore tax havens from accessing Covid-19 government support, (80%).
Institutions which consider public safety
Q. With regards to the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak, to what extent do you think the following institutions consider the safety of the public when making business decisions?
| Will always act in their own interests, even if it endangers people or is detrimental to the public | Will act in their own interests as long as it does not endanger people or is detrimental to the public | Will prioritise the safety of the people and the public’s best interests | Unsure | |
| Cruise line companies | 41% | 29% | 13% | 17% |
| The big four banks | 33% | 39% | 14% | 14% |
| Insurance companies | 32% | 38% | 13% | 17% |
| Real estate agencies | 29% | 38% | 16% | 17% |
| Sporting administrators | 26% | 37% | 21% | 16% |
| Pharmaceutical companies | 18% | 38% | 31% | 14% |
| Small banks (excluding CBA, NAB, ANZ and Westpac) | 17% | 48% | 20% | 15% |
| Super funds | 17% | 40% | 23% | 20% |
| Supermarkets | 15% | 38% | 36% | 11% |
| Aged care facilities | 14% | 32% | 39% | 14% |
- 41% of participants believe that cruise line companies will always act in their own interests, even if it endangers people or is detrimental to the public; while only 14% say the same is true for aged care facilities.
- 48% of participants believe that small banks (excluding CBA, NAB, ANZ and Westpac) will act in their own interests as long as it does not endanger people or is detrimental to the public – compared to 39% saying the same for the big four banks.
Specific covid-19 concerns
Q. To what extent are you concerned about these possible impacts of the Covid-19?
| NET: CONCERNED (VERY/SOMEWHAT) | 20/04 | 13/04 |
| The Australian economy as a whole | 87% | 85% |
| General unemployment if companies are forced out of business | 83% | 79% |
| The physical health of close family members | 74% | 73% |
| The impact on my superannuation, savings or investments | 67% | 63% |
| My close family members’ mental health | 64% | 61% |
| My physical health and catching the virus | 64% | 62% |
| My economic situation if I lose my job or have less work | 59% | 58% |
| My ability to buy food and essential items if stores run out | 58% | 58% |
| Children’s development by missing out on school | 56% | 52% |
| My mental health as a result of social distancing | 50% | 47% |
| Base (n) | 1,051 | 1,068 |
- Economic issues are seen as most concerning when thinking about the consequences of the Covid-19 crisis. 87% say they are concerned (very/somewhat) about the economy as a whole and 83% are concerned about general unemployment.
- Those aged 18-34 were more likely than other age groups to be concerned about the impact on their mental health (67% to 43%), and that of their families (74% to 601%).
- Concern for children is highest among those in households with dependent children (62% are very or somewhat concerned).
Reaction to Covid-19
Q. Which of the following is closer to your personal views of the Covid-19 outbreak?
| 20/04 | 13/04 | 06/04 | 29/03 | 22/03 | |
| There has been an over-reaction to the threat of Covid-19 | 14% | 13% | 17% | 18% | 33% |
| The response to the threat of Covid-19 is about right | 63% | 59% | 46% | 39% | 39% |
| The threat of Covid-19 has been under-estimated | 24% | 29% | 37% | 43% | 28% |
| Base (n) | 1,051 | 1,068 | 1,069 | 1,086 | 1,034 |
| Gender | Age Group | ||||||
| Total | Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | ||
| There has been an over-reaction to the threat of Covid-19 | 14% | 16% | 11% | 23% | 10% | 9% | |
| The response to the threat of Covid-19 is about right | 63% | 58% | 67% | 56% | 64% | 67% | |
| The threat of Covid-19 has been under-estimated | 24% | 26% | 22% | 21% | 26% | 24% | |
| Base (n) | 1,051 | 525 | 526 | 341 | 325 | 385 | |
- The proportion of people judging the response to the Covid-19 outbreak has been steadily increasing for the past four weeks and has now reached 63% (up from 39% last month).
Economic expectations
Q. Which of the following is closer to your expectations of what will happen to the economy following the Covid-19 situation?
| 20/04 | 13/04 | 06/04 | |
| The economy will rebound within 2-3 months and grow just as strong or stronger than before Covid-19 | 11% | 12% | 11% |
| The economy will be impacted for 6-12 months or longer and will stagnate or show slow growth thereafter | 47% | 49% | 51% |
| Covid-19 will have long lasting impact on the economy and the country will fall into a lengthy recession | 30% | 27% | 29% |
| Unsure | 11% | 11% | 9% |
| Base (n) | 1,051 | 1,068 | 1,069 |
| Gender | Age Group | ||||||
| Total | Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | ||
| The economy will rebound within 2-3 months and grow just as strong or stronger than before Covid-19 | 11% | 14% | 9% | 17% | 9% | 9% | |
| The economy will be impacted for 6-12 months or longer and will stagnate or show slow growth thereafter | 47% | 45% | 48% | 48% | 45% | 47% | |
| Covid-19 will have long lasting impact on the economy and the country will fall into a lengthy recession | 30% | 30% | 31% | 22% | 34% | 35% | |
| Unsure | 11% | 12% | 11% | 13% | 12% | 10% | |
| Base (n) | 1,051 | 525 | 526 | 341 | 325 | 385 | |
- Economic expectations are similar to last week, with just under half of people (47%) thinking Covid-19 will impact the economy for up to a year, with slow growth following.
Government response to Covid-19
Q. Overall, how would you rate the Government’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak?
| 20/04 | 13/04 | 06/04 | 29/03 | 22/03 | |
| Very poor | 5% | 6% | 6% | 11% | 9% |
| Quite poor | 10% | 12% | 15% | 21% | 20% |
| Neither good, nor poor | 21% | 20% | 21% | 24% | 26% |
| Quite good | 42% | 40% | 37% | 34% | 33% |
| Very good | 23% | 23% | 21% | 11% | 12% |
| NET: Poor | 15% | 17% | 21% | 31% | 29% |
| NET: Good | 65% | 63% | 58% | 45% | 45% |
| Base (n) | 1,051 | 1,068 | 1,069 | 1,086 | 1,034 |
| Gender | Age Group | Location | |||||||
| Total | Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Capital | Non-Capital | ||
| Very poor | 5% | 7% | 2% | 6% | 5% | 3% | 5% | 5% | |
| Quite poor | 10% | 11% | 9% | 17% | 8% | 6% | 11% | 8% | |
| Neither good, nor poor | 21% | 19% | 22% | 25% | 24% | 13% | 20% | 22% | |
| Quite good | 42% | 40% | 43% | 38% | 43% | 43% | 42% | 40% | |
| Very good | 23% | 23% | 23% | 13% | 20% | 35% | 22% | 25% | |
| NET: Poor | 15% | 18% | 12% | 23% | 13% | 9% | 16% | 13% | |
| NET: Good | 65% | 63% | 67% | 51% | 63% | 78% | 65% | 65% | |
| Base (n) | 1,051 | 525 | 526 | 341 | 325 | 385 | 722 | 329 | |
- The perception that the Government remains high, with 65% now thinking the Government has done a good job (Very/somewhat) in handling the crisis.
State Government response to Covid-19
Q. How would you rate your state government’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak?
| 20/04 | 13/04 | |
| Very poor | 5% | 5% |
| Quite poor | 9% | 11% |
| Neither good, nor poor | 20% | 20% |
| Quite good | 39% | 38% |
| Very good | 26% | 23% |
| NET: Poor | 14% | 17% |
| NET: Good | 66% | 63% |
| Base (n) | 1,051 | 1,068 |
| State | |||||||
| Total | NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | ||
| Very poor | 5% | 5% | 6% | 3% | 3% | 4% | |
| Quite poor | 9% | 12% | 5% | 11% | 8% | 7% | |
| Neither good, nor poor | 20% | 21% | 20% | 23% | 23% | 12% | |
| Quite good | 39% | 37% | 38% | 47% | 43% | 34% | |
| Very good | 26% | 24% | 32% | 16% | 23% | 43% | |
| NET: Poor | 14% | 17% | 11% | 14% | 11% | 11% | |
| NET: Good | 66% | 61% | 69% | 63% | 66% | 77% | |
| Base (n) | 1,051 | 322 | 275 | 216 | 88 | 106 | |
- Nationally, the perception of state governments’ handling of the crisis in in line with government, with 66% rating their own state’s handling as Very/Quite good (compared to 65%).
- In the past week the rating in Queensland has increased from 52% to 63%, while Victoria has fallen from 76% to 69%. Western Australia and Victoria remain the states with the highest rating.
Easing Restrictions
Q. When do you think governments should start to ease the restrictions on travel and gatherings to allow offices, shops, restaurants, other workplaces and public spaces to start operating again?
| Age Group | Employment Status | |||||||
| Total | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | In paid employment | Not in paid employment | Retired | ||
| As soon as possible | 9% | 17% | 7% | 4% | 11% | 10% | 3% | |
| Within the next 1 to 2 weeks | 6% | 9% | 3% | 5% | 7% | 5% | 4% | |
| Within the next month | 14% | 15% | 13% | 13% | 14% | 15% | 10% | |
| By the end of next month | 13% | 13% | 12% | 15% | 13% | 13% | 16% | |
| It is too soon to consider easing restrictions | 49% | 37% | 51% | 56% | 48% | 40% | 63% | |
| Unsure | 10% | 8% | 14% | 6% | 8% | 16% | 4% | |
| Base (n) | 1,051 | 341 | 325 | 385 | 533 | 268 | 202 | |
| State | |||||||
| Total | NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | ||
| As soon as possible | 9% | 11% | 8% | 9% | 8% | 7% | |
| Within the next 1 to 2 weeks | 6% | 5% | 7% | 6% | 5% | 5% | |
| Within the next month | 14% | 15% | 14% | 13% | 12% | 12% | |
| By the end of next month | 13% | 14% | 13% | 15% | 14% | 14% | |
| It is too soon to consider easing restrictions | 49% | 44% | 53% | 46% | 48% | 54% | |
| Unsure | 10% | 11% | 6% | 12% | 14% | 9% | |
| Base (n) | 1,051 | 322 | 275 | 216 | 88 | 106 | |
- Half of people think it is too soon to consider lifting restrictions. 29% think restrictions should be lifted within the next month (9% as soon as possible, 6% within the next fortnight and 14% within the next month).
- Those most likely to want an immediate easing of restrictions are aged 18-34 (17%), those in paid employment (11%) and people with a high household income (Over $104k p/a, 14%).
- People who are retired (63%) and residents of Victoria (53%) and WA (54%) are most likely to think it too soon to lift restrictions.
COVID-19 RESEARCH
Read Essential's ongoing research on the public response to Covid-19.
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Two Party Preferred: 14 May 2019
Labor
51.5%-0.5
Coalition
48.5%+0.5
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