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%).
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).
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).
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%.
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.
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%).
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.
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.
COVID-19 RESEARCH
Read Essential's ongoing research on the public response to Covid-19.
Download this week's ReportEssential Report
Two Party Preferred:
In this week's report:
- Performance of Scott Morrison
- Performance of Anthony Albanese
- Preferred Prime Minister
- Federal government response to Covid-19
- State government response to Covid-19
- Better leadership during Covid-19 – PM vs state leader
- Attitudes towards Craig Kelly controversy and Scott Morrison’s leadership
- Views towards federal vs state government responsibility to manage Covid-19 hotel quarantine system
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