The Essential Report Archive Read the latest report

  • Nov, 2019

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    Support for Right to Protest laws

    Q. Scott Morrison has flagged changing the law to stop environmental and other civil society groups or consumers campaigning against big resource projects. This change could make consumer or environmental boycotts illegal.

    Based on what you understand, to what extent do you support or oppose the Prime Minister’s proposal?

        Gender Age
      Total Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+
    Strongly support 14% 18% 11% 12% 11% 19%
    Somewhat support 19% 20% 18% 23% 16% 18%
    Neither support, nor oppose 28% 24% 31% 29% 33% 22%
    Somewhat oppose 15% 13% 17% 12% 18% 15%
    Strongly oppose 24% 25% 23% 24% 22% 26%
    NET: Support 33% 38% 29% 35% 27% 37%
    NET: Oppose 39% 38% 40% 36% 40% 41%
    Base (n) 1,075 526 549 327 371 377
    • Overall, there was more opposition to support for the Government’s proposals stop environmental and other civil society groups or consumers campaigning against big resource projects (39% to 33%). 28% neither support nor oppose the proposals.
    • Support was highest among men (38%) and those aged 55+ (37%).
      Total Voting Intention Protest Activity
    Labor Coalition Greens NET: Other Participated in protest activity Not participated in protest activity
    Strongly support 14% 9% 26% 1% 11% 15% 13%
    Somewhat support 19% 15% 30% 11% 13% 16% 23%
    Neither support, nor oppose 28% 27% 24% 13% 30% 22% 37%
    Somewhat oppose 15% 17% 12% 18% 18% 16% 14%
    Strongly oppose 24% 32% 8% 57% 29% 31% 13%
    NET: Support 33% 24% 56% 12% 23% 31% 36%
    NET: Oppose 39% 49% 20% 76% 47% 46% 27%
    Base (n) 1,075 325 377 107 155 682 393
    • Just over half of Coalition voters support the Government’s proposals (56%). The proposal receives lower support among Labor (24%), Greens (12%), and minor party/independent voters (23%).
    • Those who have participated in a protest activity are more likely than those who have not to oppose the proposed changes (46% to 27%).
  • Oct, 2015

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    Party Trust to Handle Issues

    Q: Which party would you trust most to handle the following issues?

      Liberal Labor Greens Don’t know   Difference   Difference

    Sep 2015

    Management of the economy 41% 23% 4% 32% +18 +16
    Ensuring a quality education for all children 28% 35% 7% 30% -7 -4
    Ensuring the quality of Australia’s health system 28% 33% 8% 30% -5 -2
    Protecting the environment 18% 16% 39% 26% -21 -20
    A fair industrial relations system 27% 38% 5% 30% -11 -8
    Political leadership 38% 20% 7% 36% +18 +9
    Addressing climate change 19% 23% 31% 27% -12 -12
    Controlling interest rates 36% 22% 4% 37% +14 +16
    Australian jobs and protection of local industries 28% 35% 6% 31% -7 -5
    Ensuring a quality water supply 25% 20% 24% 31% +5 +7
    Housing affordability 24% 31% 7% 38% -7
    Ensuring a fair taxation system 31% 31% 6% 32% +4
    Security and the war on terrorism 41% 19% 5% 36% +22 +20
    Treatment of asylum seekers 28% 21% 17% 34% +7 +12
    Managing population growth 32% 19% 9% 40% +13 +11

    Note – Differences are calculated by subtracting Labor % from Liberal % – except for the two issues on which the Greens lead in which case it is Liberal minus Greens.

    The Liberal Party is trusted more to handle security and the war on terrorism (+22), management of the economy (+18), political leadership (+18) and controlling interest rates (+14). The Labor Party is trusted more to handle a fair industrial relations system (-11) and Australian jobs, protection of local industries (-7), ensuring a quality education (-7) and housing affordability (-7).

    Main changes since this question was asked last month have been an improvement for the Liberal Party on political leadership (up net 9 points), and improvement for the Labor Party on housing affordability (up 7) and treatment of asylum seekers (up 5).

  • Jun, 2014

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    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).

  • Apr, 2014

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    Most important election issues

    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%.

  • Mar, 2014

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    Government Responsibilities

    Q. Which of the following should be mainly the responsibility of the Federal Government and which should be mainly the responsibility of the State Governments – or should they have equal responsibility?

     

    Mainly Federal

    Mainly State

    Both

    equally

    Don’t know

    Improving the health system

    43%

    11%

    41%

    6%

    Addressing climate change

    41%

    4%

    45%

    9%

    Improving the education system

    40%

    14%

    40%

    6%

    Industrial relations issues

    39%

    13%

    40%

    8%

    Managing mining projects and mining profits

    39%

    20%

    32%

    9%

    Managing the environment

    32%

    11%

    50%

    7%

    Managing our water resources

    25%

    23%

    46%

    6%

    Constructing new roads and highways

    21%

    33%

    41%

    6%

    Investing in regional areas

    16%

    40%

    37%

    7%

    Investing in public transport

    11%

    52%

    32%

    6%

    Issues which were considered mainly Federal responsibilities were the health system, climate change and education.

    Public transport and regional investment were considered to be more the responsibilities of the State Governments.

    The environment, managing water resources and constructing new roads and highways were more likely to be considered a shared responsibility.

  • Feb, 2014

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    Government handling of issues

    Q. How would you rate the Federal Liberal-National Government for the way they have handled the following issues?

     

    Total good

    Total poor

    Net score

    Very good

    Good

    Average

    Poor

    Very poor

    Don’t know

    Managing the economy

    34%

    31%

    +3

    12%

    22%

    29%

    16%

    15%

    6%

    Treatment of asylum seekers

    37%

    36%

    +1

    18%

    19%

    18%

    11%

    25%

    9%

    Relations with other countries

    29%

    32%

    -3

    8%

    21%

    30%

    13%

    19%

    8%

    Education and schools

    28%

    35%

    -7

    6%

    22%

    28%

    19%

    16%

    8%

    Supporting Australian businesses

    27%

    34%

    -7

    8%

    19%

    31%

    18%

    16%

    8%

    Protecting the environment

    26%

    36%

    -10

    7%

    19%

    28%

    14%

    22%

    9%

    Social welfare

    27%

    39%

    -12

    8%

    19%

    26%

    17%

    22%

    8%

    Industrial relations

    26%

    38%

    -12

    9%

    17%

    27%

    18%

    20%

    9%

    Health services

    25%

    38%

    -13

    6%

    19%

    29%

    20%

    18%

    7%

    Climate change

    24%

    39%

    -15

    10%

    14%

    28%

    13%

    26%

    9%

    Supporting Australian jobs

    25%

    44%

    -19

    8%

    17%

    26%

    20%

    24%

    6%

    The Government received negative rating for all issues except managing the economy (34% good/31% poor) and treatment of asylum seekers (37%/36%).

    Highest negative ratings were given for supporting Australian jobs (25% good/44% poor), climate change (24%/39%), health services (25%/38%), industrial relations (26%/38%) and social welfare (27%/39%).

  • Sep, 2013

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    Party trust to handle issues

    Q.  Which party would you trust most to handle the following issues?

     

    Labor

    Liberal

    Greens

    Don’t know

     

    Difference 2 Sep 13

    Difference 23 Jul 13

    Management of the economy

    32%

    47%

    4%

    18%

    -15

    -15

    Ensuring a quality education for all children

    42%

    32%

    8%

    19%

    +10

    +9

    Ensuring the quality of Australia’s health system

    37%

    34%

    8%

    21%

    +3

    +1

    Protecting the environment

    19%

    21%

    43%

    17%

    +22

    +18

    A fair industrial relations system

    41%

    31%

    7%

    21%

    +10

    +11

    Political leadership

    31%

    40%

    6%

    23%

    -9

    -7

    Addressing climate change

    24%

    23%

    32%

    21%

    +9

    +7

    Controlling interest rates

    29%

    41%

    4%

    26%

    -12

    -14

    Australian jobs and protection of local industries

    38%

    36%

    5%

    21%

    -2

    -1

    Ensuring a quality water supply

    22%

    30%

    22%

    26%

    -8

    -7

    Housing affordability

    30%

    32%

    7%

    31%

    -2

    -2

    Ensuring a fair taxation system

    32%

    37%

    6%

    26%

    -5

    -2

    Security and the war on terrorism

    27%

    38%

    5%

    30%

    -11

    -15

    Treatment of asylum seekers

    23%

    36%

    16%

    26%

    -13

    -11

    Managing population growth

    24%

    33%

    9%

    34%

    -9

    -13

    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 Labor Party is trusted more to handle a quality education for all children (+10) and a fair industrial relations system (+10).

    The Liberal Party is trusted more to handle management of the economy (-15), treatment of asylum seekers (-13), controlling interest rates (-12) and security and the war on terrorism (-11).

    There have been no major changes since this question was last asked in July.

  • Aug, 2013

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    Where Government should reduce spending

    If “Reduce spending” or “both” –

    Q. In which of the following areas should the Government reduce spending?

     

    Total

     

    Vote Labor

    Vote Lib/Nat

    Vote Greens

    Foreign aid

    76%

    72%

    82%

    43%

    The arts

    70%

    65%

    76%

    29%

    Subsidies for business

    59%

    65%

    57%

    58%

    Private schools

    59%

    63%

    56%

    38%

    Welfare support

    43%

    33%

    53%

    17%

    The environment

    36%

    22%

    49%

    12%

    Defence

    34%

    36%

    30%

    68%

    Support for manufacturing industries

    32%

    31%

    34%

    37%

    Border security

    18%

    18%

    17%

    43%

    Universities

    18%

    12%

    25%

    9%

    Public transport

    14%

    11%

    18%

    14%

    Roads

    12%

    10%

    11%

    33%

    Public schools

    9%

    7%

    12%

    12%

    Pensions

    9%

    6%

    11%

    15%

    Health and hospitals

    5%

    6%

    5%

    9%

    Of those who think spending should be reduced, 76% think spending on foreign aid should be reduced, 70% the arts, 59% subsidies for business and 59% private schools.

    The areas least likely to be nominated for spending cuts were health and hospitals, pensions and public schools.

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