Interest in Federal Budget
Q. Thinking about the Federal Budget to be announced next week – how interested are you in reading and hearing about the Federal Budget?
| 2010 | Total | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | |
| Very interested | 30% | 38% | 41% | 44% | 32% |
| Somewhat interested | 37% | 29% | 32% | 29% | 30% |
| A little interested | 22% | 21% | 19% | 20% | 28% |
| Not at all interested | 8% | 8% | 5% | 6% | 9% |
| Can’t say | 4% | 3% | 2% | * | – |
67% of respondents say they are very or somewhat interested in reading and hearing about the Federal Budget – the same as recorded prior to the 2010 budget. However, those who say they are “very interested” has increased from 30% to 38%.
73% of both Labor and Liberal/National voters say they are interested.
Younger people are less interested – 60% of those under 35 are interested compared to 78% of those aged 55+.
Reason for Budget Deficit
Q. The Federal Government is currently running a budget deficit, but intends to return to surplus in 2012-13. Which of the following do you think is most responsible for the deficit?
| Total | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | |
| Poor economic management by the Government | 23% | 5% | 43% | 8% |
| The cost of the Government’s GFC stimulus packages | 19% | 19% | 20% | 21% |
| Big companies not paying their fair share of taxes | 17% | 29% | 6% | 30% |
| Spending on big projects like the National Broadband Network | 14% | 8% | 18% | 10% |
| Lower tax revenues because of the Global Financial Crisis | 13% | 25% | 4% | 19% |
| Don’t know | 15% | 14% | 9% | 11% |
Overall, respondents believe the main reasons for the budget deficit are poor economic management by the Government (23%), the cost of the Government’s GFC stimulus (19%) and big companies not paying their fair share of taxes (17%).
Labor voters were most likely to blame big companies not paying their fair share of taxes (29%) and lower tax revenues because of the GFC (25%) while Liberal/National voters blame poor economic management by the Government (43%). Greens voters tended to blame big companies not paying their fair share of taxes (30%).
Measures to Return to Surplus
Q. In order to meet their commitment to return to surplus in 2012-13, which measures should the Government take?
| Total | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | |
| Increase taxes for big corporations | 63% | 79% | 51% | 77% |
| Reduce tax breaks for high income earners | 51% | 57% | 46% | 67% |
| Cut “middle class welfare” such as the Baby Bonus, first home buyers grant and Family Tax Benefit payments | 36% | 33% | 41% | 39% |
| Reduce defence spending | 32% | 36% | 26% | 51% |
| Cut spending on unemployment and disability benefits | 21% | 15% | 31% | 11% |
| It does not need to return to surplus so quickly | 38% | 39% | 36% | 57% |
Overall, the most favoured means of returning the budget to surplus were increasing taxes for big corporations (63%) and reducing tax breaks for high income earners (51%). Both these measures were strongly favoured by Labor and Greens voters.
Although support was less strong, these two measures were also the most preferred among Liberal/National voters.
Note, although 38% thought that the budget does not need to return to surplus so quickly, some of these respondents also agreed with some of the measures listed.
Federal Budget
Q. Do you support or oppose the Australian Government’s proposal to establish a regional processing centre for asylum seekers in East Timor?
| Total | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | Men | Women | Age
18-34 |
Aged
35-54 |
Aged 55+ | |
| Total support | 37% | 47% | 33% | 38% | 42% | 32% | 40% | 37% | 35% |
| Total oppose | 38% | 27% | 46% | 38% | 39% | 36% | 29% | 39% | 46% |
| Strongly support | 11% | 13% | 9% | 5% | 12% | 9% | 8% | 11% | 13% |
| Support | 26% | 34% | 24% | 33% | 30% | 23% | 32% | 26% | 22% |
| Oppose | 18% | 16% | 20% | 22% | 18% | 18% | 17% | 20% | 18% |
| Strongly oppose | 20% | 11% | 26% | 16% | 21% | 18% | 12% | 19% | 28% |
| Don’t know | 25% | 25% | 21% | 25% | 19% | 32% | 31% | 24% | 20% |
Opinions on the Australian Government’s proposal to establish a regional processing centre for asylum seekers in East Timor are evenly divided – 37% support the proposal and 38% oppose.
Strongest support comes from Labor voters (47%) and those aged 18-34 (40%). Strongest opposition comes form Liberal/National voters (46%) and those aged 55+ (46%).
Federal Budget
Q. Thinking about the next Federal Budget, overall do you think the Government should increase, maintain or cut spending on services and programs?
| Total | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | |
| Increase spending | 15% | 16% | 13% | 20% |
| Maintain spending | 49% | 58% | 46% | 54% |
| Cut spending | 22% | 14% | 31% | 15% |
| Don’t know | 14% | 12% | 10% | 11% |
49% think the Government should maintain spending in the next Federal Budget, 22% think spending should be cut and 15% think it should be increased.
By voting intention, 74% of Labor voters and Greens voters think spending should be maintained or increased compared to 59% of Liberal/National voters. 31% of Liberal/National voters think spending should be cut.
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