Q. How would you rate the government’s management of the Australian economy compared to how governments in other countries around the world have managed their economies?
|
|
Total
|
|
Vote Labor |
Vote Lib/Nat |
Vote Greens |
Vote other |
|
May 2013 |
May 2014 |
| Total Good |
39% |
21% |
68% |
25% |
19% |
39% |
40% |
||
| Total Poor |
28% |
44% |
7% |
52% |
38% |
32% |
31% |
||
| Very good |
11% |
5% |
22% |
4% |
2% |
11% |
9% |
||
| Good |
28% |
16% |
46% |
21% |
17% |
28% |
31% |
||
| Neither good nor poor |
28% |
31% |
24% |
18% |
34% |
24% |
24% |
||
| Poor |
15% |
22% |
6% |
20% |
20% |
17% |
14% |
||
| Very poor |
13% |
22% |
1% |
32% |
18% |
15% |
17% |
||
| Don’t know |
5% |
3% |
1% |
4% |
9% |
5% |
5% |
39% of Australians would rate the government’s management of the economy, compared to other countries around the world, as good.
28% would rate their management of the economy as poor.
There have been no major shifts in attitudes since this question was asked in May.
Labor (21%), Greens (25%) and other (19%) voters were less likely to rate the government’s management of the economy as ‘good’. Lib/Nat voters (68%) were more likely to rate the government’s management of the economy as ‘good’.
47% of those earning $1,600+ pw rate the government’s management ‘good’ and 35% of those earning less than $1,000 pw rate it ‘poor’.
Q. As far as you know, which energy source – renewable energy like solar and wind OR fossil fuels like coal and gas – is better for each of the following?
|
|
Renewable energy better |
Fossil fuels better |
No difference |
Don’t know |
| The environment |
77% |
5% |
8% |
11% |
| The economy |
39% |
29% |
14% |
18% |
| Jobs |
36% |
25% |
19% |
20% |
| Electricity costs |
45% |
19% |
14% |
22% |
Overall, respondents think that renewable energy is better for the environment (77%), electricity costs (45%), the economy (39%) and jobs (36%).
Older respondents tended to have a slightly more positive view of renewable energy – for those aged 55+, 47% believe renewables are better for the economy.
economy, Education, environment, Interest rates, Party Trust to Handle Issues
Q. Which party would you trust most to handle the following issues?
|
Labor |
Liberal |
Greens |
Don’t know |
|
Difference 3 June 14 |
Difference 11 Feb 14 |
|
| Management of the economy |
28% |
41% |
4% |
28% |
-13 |
-19 |
|
| Ensuring a quality education for all children |
43% |
28% |
6% |
23% |
+15 |
+7 |
|
| Ensuring the quality of Australia’s health system |
41% |
28% |
7% |
24% |
+13 |
+2 |
|
| Protecting the environment |
20% |
18% |
40% |
22% |
+22 |
+15 |
|
| A fair industrial relations system |
40% |
29% |
6% |
26% |
+11 |
+5 |
|
| Political leadership |
28% |
34% |
5% |
33% |
-6 |
-13 |
|
| Addressing climate change |
22% |
20% |
32% |
26% |
+12 |
+3 |
|
| Controlling interest rates |
28% |
40% |
3% |
29% |
-12 |
-17 |
|
| Australian jobs and protection of local industries |
40% |
28% |
5% |
27% |
+12 |
+2 |
|
| Ensuring a quality water supply |
21% |
26% |
25% |
28% |
-5 |
-10 |
|
| Housing affordability |
31% |
27% |
6% |
35% |
+4 |
-2 |
|
| Ensuring a fair taxation system |
32% |
33% |
6% |
29% |
-1 |
-6 |
|
| Security and the war on terrorism |
23% |
39% |
5% |
33% |
-16 |
-16 |
|
| Treatment of asylum seekers |
20% |
37% |
14% |
29% |
-17 |
-16 |
|
| Managing population growth |
21% |
31% |
9% |
38% |
-10 |
-11 |
Note – Differences are calculated by subtracting Liberal % from Labor % – except for the two issues on which the Greens lead in which case it is Greens minus Liberal.
The Liberal Party is trusted more to handle management of the economy (-13), controlling interest rates (-12), security and the war on terrorism (-16) and treatment of asylum seekers (-17). The Labor Party is trusted more to handle a quality education for all children (+15), ensuring the quality of Australia’s health system (+13), Australian jobs and protection of local industries (+12) and a fair industrial relations system (+11).
Since this question was asked in February, the Labor Party has improved its position on most issues – especially the quality of the health system (up 11), Australian jobs and protection of local industries (up 10) and education (up 8).
economy, Government management
Q. How would you rate the Government’s management of the Australian economy compared to how governments in other countries around the world have managed their economies?
|
Total
|
|
Vote Labor |
Vote Lib/Nat |
Vote Greens |
Vote other |
|
6 May 2013 (Labor Government) |
|
| Total Good |
40% |
24% |
68% |
22% |
30% |
39% |
||
| Total Poor |
31% |
47% |
6% |
55% |
43% |
32% |
||
| Very good |
9% |
3% |
17% |
6% |
7% |
11% |
||
| Good |
31% |
21% |
51% |
16% |
23% |
28% |
||
| Neither good nor poor |
24% |
26% |
23% |
24% |
25% |
24% |
||
| Poor |
14% |
20% |
4% |
20% |
18% |
17% |
||
| Very poor |
17% |
27% |
2% |
35% |
25% |
15% |
||
| Don’t know |
5% |
4% |
3% |
– |
2% |
5% |
40% of Australians would rate the government’s management of the economy, compared to other countries around the world, as good.
31% would rate their management of the economy as poor.
There has been no major shift in attitudes since the last time this question was asked in May 2013 (for the then Labor Government).
Labor (24%), Green (22%) and other (30%) voters were less likely to rate the government’s management of the economy as ‘good’. Lib/Nat voters (64%) were more likely to rate the government’s management of the economy as ‘good’.
Those aged 65+ were more likely to rate the government’s management of the economy as ‘good’ (55%).
economy, financial interests, interests of Australians, middle class in Australia
Q. Which party – Labor or Liberal – do you think is best when it comes to:
|
Labor |
Liberal |
No Difference |
Don’t Know |
Difference (Labor v. Liberal) |
|
| Representing the interests of Australian working families |
47% |
20% |
26% |
7% |
27% |
| Representing the interests of you and people like you |
39% |
29% |
24% |
8% |
10% |
| Standing up for the middle class in Australia |
38% |
24% |
29% |
9% |
14% |
| Representing the interests of the large corporate and financial interests |
13% |
54% |
22% |
11% |
-41% |
| Being more concerned about the interests of working families in Australia than the rich and large business and financial interests |
46% |
17% |
26% |
10% |
29% |
| Handling the economy overall |
26% |
40% |
23% |
10% |
-14% |
| Handling the economy in a way that tries to take the interests of working families into consideration as much as it takes the interests of the large corporate and financial groups |
37% |
27% |
23% |
13% |
10% |
| Handling the economy in a way that best helps small business |
27% |
32% |
28% |
13% |
-5% |
| Handling the economy in a way that best helps the middle class |
31% |
30% |
27% |
12% |
1% |
| Handling the economy in a way that helps you and people like you the most. |
37% |
29% |
23% |
11% |
8% |
Labor was more likely to be selected as the party best at all of the items, except for ‘Representing the interests of the large corporate and financial interests’ (54% Liberal, 13% Labor), ‘Handling the economy overall’ (40% Liberal, 26% Labor) and ‘Handling the economy in a way that best helps small business’ (32% Liberal, 27% Labor).
climate change, economy, Education, Election, Election Issues, environment, Federal Election, Greens, Health, Industrial Relations, Labor, Liberal/National, Liberals
Q. Which are the three most important issues in deciding how you would vote at a Federal election?
|
Total 22 Apr 14 |
|
Vote ALP |
Vote Lib/Nat |
Vote Grn |
Vote other |
|
23 Jul 13 |
30 Jul 12 |
6 June 11 |
25 Jan 10 |
|
| Management of the economy |
54% |
43% |
75% |
22% |
44% |
45% |
64% |
61% |
63% |
||
| Ensuring a quality education for all children |
27% |
35% |
18% |
38% |
20% |
25% |
26% |
26% |
23% |
||
| Ensuring the quality of Australia’s health system |
50% |
54% |
43% |
62% |
52% |
42% |
47% |
49% |
48% |
||
| Protecting the environment |
13% |
12% |
7% |
42% |
14% |
12% |
11% |
15% |
16% |
||
| A fair industrial relations system |
12% |
17% |
11% |
8% |
12% |
10% |
12% |
8% |
na |
||
| Political leadership |
15% |
11% |
24% |
6% |
13% |
21% |
25% |
17% |
23% |
||
| Addressing climate change |
10% |
13% |
4% |
28% |
9% |
11% |
9% |
15% |
16% |
||
| Controlling interest rates |
9% |
9% |
11% |
2% |
7% |
13% |
9% |
13% |
15% |
||
| Australian jobs and protection of local industries |
37% |
39% |
37% |
18% |
37% |
39% |
41% |
32% |
33% |
||
| Ensuring a quality water supply |
4% |
5% |
3% |
3% |
5% |
3% |
3% |
5% |
12% |
||
| Housing affordability |
17% |
18% |
16% |
13% |
19% |
17% |
13% |
16% |
14% |
||
| Ensuring a fair taxation system |
20% |
19% |
20% |
9% |
23% |
20% |
18% |
17% |
14% |
||
| Security and the war on terrorism |
5% |
3% |
8% |
3% |
5% |
8% |
5% |
8% |
9% |
||
| Treatment of asylum seekers |
8% |
5% |
5% |
32% |
9% |
14% |
10% |
5% |
na |
||
| Managing population growth |
9% |
6% |
10% |
8% |
16% |
9% |
8% |
12% |
na |
54% of people surveyed rated management of the economy as one of their three most important issues, followed by 50% ensuring the quality of Australia’s health system, 37% Australian jobs and protection of local industries and 27% ensuring a quality education for all children.
Main changes since this question was asked last July – management of the economy up 9%, ensuring the quality of Australia’s health system up 8%, political leadership down 6% and treatment of asylum seekers down 6%.
economy, Industrial Relations, party trust, political leadership, protecting the environment, quality education
Q. Which party would you trust most to handle the following issues?
|
Labor |
Liberal |
Greens |
Don’t know |
|
Difference 11 Feb 14 |
Difference 19 Nov 13 |
|
| Management of the economy |
27% |
46% |
2% |
25% |
-19 |
-26 |
|
| Ensuring a quality education for all children |
39% |
32% |
5% |
25% |
+7 |
+2 |
|
| Ensuring the quality of Australia’s health system |
35% |
33% |
6% |
26% |
+2 |
-1 |
|
| Protecting the environment |
17% |
22% |
37% |
23% |
+15 |
+14 |
|
| A fair industrial relations system |
37% |
32% |
3% |
28% |
+5 |
+2 |
|
| Political leadership |
26% |
39% |
4% |
31% |
-13 |
-23 |
|
| Addressing climate change |
20% |
25% |
28% |
27% |
+3 |
+5 |
|
| Controlling interest rates |
25% |
42% |
3% |
30% |
-17 |
-21 |
|
| Australian jobs and protection of local industries |
34% |
32% |
4% |
30% |
+2 |
-7 |
|
| Ensuring a quality water supply |
20% |
30% |
21% |
29% |
-10 |
-13 |
|
| Housing affordability |
28% |
30% |
5% |
37% |
-2 |
-6 |
|
| Ensuring a fair taxation system |
29% |
35% |
4% |
32% |
-6 |
-11 |
|
| Security and the war on terrorism |
23% |
39% |
3% |
35% |
-16 |
-22 |
|
| Treatment of asylum seekers |
20% |
36% |
15% |
29% |
-16 |
-18 |
|
| Managing population growth |
21% |
32% |
8% |
38% |
-11 |
-19 |
Note – Differences are calculated by subtracting Liberal % from Labor % – except for the two issues on which the Greens lead in which case it is Greens minus Liberal.
The Liberal Party is trusted more to handle management of the economy (-19), controlling interest rates (-17), security and the war on terrorism (-16) and treatment of asylum seekers (-16). The Labor Party is trusted more to handle a quality education for all children (+7) and a fair industrial relations system (+5).
Since this question was asked in November, the Labor Party has improved its position on all issues – especially political leadership (up 10%), Australian jobs and protection of local industries (up 9%), managing population growth (up 8%) and managing the economy (up 7%).
21 January 2014, 210114, better or worse off, company profits, economy, education and schools, liberal government, political leadership, trust in government
Q. Under the new Liberal/National Government, do you expect the following will get better or worse?
| – |
Total |
Total worse |
Net |
A |
A little better |
Stay much the same |
A little wor- |
A |
Don’t know |
Better |
Wor |
| Political leadership |
33% |
38% |
-5 |
15% |
18% |
25% |
12% |
26% |
3% |
42% |
31% |
| Trust in Government |
30% |
43% |
-13 |
12% |
18% |
26% |
13% |
30% |
3% |
36% |
36% |
| Unemployment |
22% |
45% |
-23 |
6% |
16% |
30% |
21% |
24% |
3% |
27% |
37% |
| The economy overall |
30% |
38% |
-8 |
10% |
20% |
29% |
21% |
17% |
3% |
38% |
30% |
| The cost of living |
17% |
52% |
-35 |
5% |
12% |
29% |
25% |
27% |
3% |
27% |
40% |
| Interest rates |
16% |
33% |
-17 |
5% |
11% |
47% |
18% |
15% |
4% |
17% |
31% |
| Health services |
18% |
45% |
-27 |
5% |
13% |
35% |
18% |
27% |
3% |
23% |
42% |
| Job security |
17% |
49% |
-32 |
5% |
12% |
32% |
21% |
28% |
3% |
22% |
43% |
| Workers rights and conditions |
14% |
45% |
-31 |
5% |
9% |
36% |
14% |
31% |
4% |
18% |
47% |
| Company profits |
40% |
18% |
+22 |
13% |
27% |
38% |
8% |
10% |
4% |
47% |
14% |
| The environment |
16% |
41% |
-25 |
5% |
11% |
39% |
14% |
27% |
4% |
18% |
39% |
| Education and schools |
20% |
43% |
-23 |
6% |
14% |
33% |
19% |
24% |
3% |
25% |
41% |
| Public services |
17% |
46% |
-29 |
6% |
11% |
35% |
20% |
26% |
3% |
20% |
45% |
| Benefits for people on Government support – such as pensioners and the unemployed |
13% |
49% |
-36 |
4% |
9% |
35% |
21% |
28% |
3% |
19% |
44% |
| Your personal financial situation |
18% |
37% |
-19 |
5% |
13% |
42% |
20% |
17% |
2% |
22% |
35% |
Except for company profits, respondents believed all issues measured would get worse under the new Liberal/National Government. Expectations on each issue have declined since this question was asked immediately after the election. The largest declines have been for cost of living (net score down 22), the economy overall (-16), political leadership (-16), unemployment (-13) and trust in Government (-13).