Government support for industry
Q. Do you approve or disapprove of governments giving the following types of financial support to these industries?
Total approve |
Total disapprove |
|
Strongly approve |
Approve |
Disapprove |
Strongly disapprove |
Don’t know |
|
Agriculture – drought relief |
83% |
8% |
38% |
45% |
6% |
2% |
8% |
|
Health care – private health rebate |
72% |
17% |
28% |
44% |
11% |
6% |
11% |
|
Tourism – development grants |
61% |
22% |
10% |
51% |
16% |
6% |
17% |
|
Food processing – production subsidies |
55% |
30% |
9% |
46% |
21% |
9% |
16% |
|
Film – production grants |
46% |
34% |
8% |
38% |
23% |
11% |
20% |
|
Banks – guaranteeing debt |
36% |
43% |
6% |
30% |
25% |
18% |
20% |
|
Real estate investment – negative gearing |
35% |
43% |
9% |
26% |
27% |
16% |
22% |
|
Motor vehicle manufacturing – production subsidies |
36% |
47% |
6% |
30% |
33% |
14% |
17% |
|
Mining industry – fuel rebate |
26% |
56% |
4% |
22% |
31% |
25% |
17% |
There was majority approval of the Government giving financial support to agriculture (83% approve), health care (72%), tourism (61%) and food processing (55%).
The only issue on which there was majority disapproval was the fuel rebate for the mining industry (56% disapprove).
Labor voters are more likely than Liberal/National voters to approve support for car manufacturing (45% to 32%), food manufacturing (64%/49%), and film production (52%/43%).
Liberal/National voters are more likely than Labor voters to approve support for mining (34% to 24%), health care (81%/71%) and real estate investment (42%/35%).
Australia and United States – How they compare
Q. How do you think Australia compares to the United States on the following:
Total better in Australia |
Total better in USA |
A lot better in Australia |
A little better in Australia |
About the same |
A little better in USA |
A lot better in USA |
Don’t know |
|
Access to health care |
82% |
5% |
61% |
21% |
8% |
3% |
2% |
5% |
Standard of living for ordinary working people |
74% |
7% |
40% |
34% |
13% |
5% |
2% |
6% |
Access to jobs |
70% |
5% |
34% |
36% |
17% |
4% |
1% |
7% |
Public safety |
66% |
4% |
32% |
34% |
22% |
3% |
1% |
7% |
Wages |
64% |
9% |
34% |
30% |
17% |
7% |
2% |
10% |
Work rights |
63% |
7% |
34% |
29% |
18% |
5% |
2% |
13% |
Education standards |
47% |
16% |
20% |
27% |
27% |
12% |
4% |
10% |
Rights of individuals |
44% |
14% |
19% |
25% |
34% |
10% |
4% |
8% |
Opportunities to succeed in business |
35% |
22% |
14% |
21% |
32% |
16% |
6% |
12% |
International influence |
17% |
56% |
8% |
9% |
19% |
21% |
35% |
9% |
The vast majority of respondents think health care, standard of living, access to jobs, public safety, wages and work rights are better in Australia than in the US.
They are somewhat less certain about education standards, individual rights and opportunities to succeed in business – but still think these are better in Australia.
Only on international influence did respondents favour the US.

COVID-19 RESEARCH
Read Essential's ongoing research on the public response to Covid-19.
Essential Report
In this week's report:
- Performance of Scott Morrison
- Performance of Anthony Albanese
- Preferred Prime Minister
- Views towards re-electing the federal Coalition government
- Party trust to handle issues
- Importance of Australia’s international reputation
- Scott Morrison’s impact on Australia’s international reputation
- Views towards Australia’s international reputation
Sign up for updates
Receive the Essential Report in your inbox.Essential Tags
Recent Comments
