economic management, management of the economy
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 |
Oct 2014 |
Total good |
34% |
20% |
59% |
26% |
22% |
39% |
40% |
39% |
||
Total poor |
30% |
46% |
9% |
45% |
39% |
32% |
31% |
28% |
||
Very good |
7% |
5% |
14% |
– |
4% |
11% |
9% |
11% |
||
Good |
27% |
15% |
45% |
26% |
18% |
28% |
31% |
28% |
||
Neither good nor poor |
31% |
30% |
31% |
27% |
32% |
24% |
24% |
28% |
||
Poor |
16% |
24% |
7% |
25% |
22% |
17% |
14% |
15% |
||
Very poor |
14% |
22% |
2% |
20% |
17% |
15% |
17% |
13% |
||
Don’t know |
5% |
5% |
1% |
3% |
7% |
5% |
5% |
5% |
34% of Australians rate the government’s management of the economy, compared to other countries around the world, as good.
30% rate their management of the economy as poor.
This represents a net decline from +11 to +4 since October.
Labor (20%), Greens (26%) and other (22%) voters were less likely to rate the government’s management of the economy as ‘good’. Liberal/National voters (59%) were more likely to rate the government’s management of the economy as ‘good’ – although this has dropped from 68% in October.
40% of those earning $1,600+ pw rate the government’s management ‘good’ and 44% of those earning less than $600 pw rate it ‘poor’.
asylum seekers, business, climate change, Coalition government, Education, environment, Health services, International Relations, management of the economy, social welfare
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%).
5 August 2013, 50813, affordable housing, climate change, environment, health system, leader trust, management of the economy, quality education, trust to handle issues, water supply
Q. Which party leader – Kevin Rudd or Tony Abbott – would you trust most to handle the following issues?
Kevin Rudd |
Tony Abbott |
No difference |
Don’t know |
Net difference |
Difference for parties 23 Jul 13 |
|
Management of the economy |
32% |
35% |
21% |
11% |
-3 |
-15 |
Ensuring a quality education for all children |
41% |
25% |
24% |
10% |
+16 |
+9 |
Ensuring the quality of Australia’s health system |
37% |
27% |
25% |
11% |
+10 |
+1 |
Protecting the environment |
33% |
22% |
31% |
14% |
+11 |
na |
A fair industrial relations system |
41% |
28% |
19% |
12% |
+13 |
+11 |
Political leadership |
37% |
32% |
22% |
9% |
+5 |
-7 |
Addressing climate change |
35% |
21% |
31% |
13% |
+14 |
na |
Controlling interest rates |
24% |
32% |
32% |
12% |
-8 |
-14 |
Australian jobs and protection of local industries |
32% |
30% |
25% |
13% |
+2 |
-1 |
Ensuring a quality water supply |
26% |
23% |
36% |
15% |
+3 |
-7 |
Housing affordability |
26% |
25% |
34% |
15% |
+1 |
-2 |
Ensuring a fair taxation system |
31% |
32% |
26% |
11% |
-1 |
-2 |
Security and the war on terrorism |
25% |
29% |
33% |
13% |
-4 |
-15 |
Treatment of asylum seekers |
26% |
31% |
32% |
11% |
-5 |
-11 |
Managing population growth |
21% |
28% |
37% |
15% |
-7 |
-13 |
Substantially more respondents said they would trust Kevin Rudd more than Tony Abbott to handle a quality education for all children, a fair industrial relations system, addressing climate change, protecting the environment and ensuring the quality of Australia’s health system. Tony Abbott is more trusted to control interest rates and manage population growth.
When compared with a similar question about trust in the parties asked last month, Kevin Rudd rates considerably better that the Labor Party on management of the economy, political leadership and security and the war on terrorism.
23 July 2013, 230713, health system, Housing, Important election issues, Interest rates, management of the economy, quality education, water supply
Q. Which are the three most important issues in deciding how you would vote at a Federal election?
Total 23 Jul 13 |
|
Total 17 Jun 13 |
11 Feb 13 |
19 Nov 12 |
30 Jul 12 |
5 Dec 11 |
6 June 11 |
25 Jan 10 |
|
Management of the economy |
45% |
47% |
62% |
66% |
64% |
62% |
61% |
63% |
|
Ensuring a quality education for all children |
25% |
25% |
29% |
35% |
26% |
22% |
26% |
23% |
|
Ensuring the quality of Australia’s health system |
42% |
45% |
52% |
57% |
47% |
47% |
49% |
48% |
|
Protecting the environment |
12% |
13% |
14% |
14% |
11% |
13% |
15% |
16% |
|
A fair industrial relations system |
10% |
10% |
12% |
8% |
12% |
11% |
8% |
na |
|
Political leadership |
21% |
22% |
14% |
15% |
25% |
18% |
17% |
23% |
|
Addressing climate change |
11% |
11% |
9% |
9% |
9% |
10% |
15% |
16% |
|
Controlling interest rates |
13% |
11% |
9% |
11% |
9% |
11% |
13% |
15% |
|
Australian jobs and protection of local industries |
39% |
34% |
40% |
32% |
41% |
36% |
32% |
33% |
|
Ensuring a quality water supply |
3% |
5% |
4% |
5% |
3% |
4% |
5% |
12% |
|
Housing affordability |
17% |
14% |
11% |
14% |
13% |
13% |
16% |
14% |
|
Ensuring a fair taxation system |
20% |
19% |
21% |
17% |
18% |
16% |
17% |
14% |
|
Security and the war on terrorism |
8% |
8% |
6% |
5% |
5% |
4% |
8% |
9% |
|
Treatment of asylum seekers |
14% |
11% |
6% |
6% |
10% |
8% |
5% |
na |
|
Managing population growth |
9% |
11% |
9% |
7% |
8% |
8% |
12% |
na |
45% of people surveyed rated management of the economy as one of their three most important issues, followed by 42% ensuring the quality of Australia’s health system, 39% Australian jobs and protection of local industries and 25% ensuring a quality education for all children.
There has been little change since this question was asked last month – Australian jobs and protection of local industries is up 5 points to 39% and treatment of asylum seekers is up 3 points (and up 8 points since February) to 14%.
11 February 2013, 110213, asylum seekers, climate change, Education, environment, Housing affordability, management of the economy, war on terrorism
Q. Which are the three most important issues in deciding how you would vote at a Federal election?
Total 11 Feb 13 |
19 Nov 12 |
30 Jul 12 |
5 Dec 11 |
6 June 11 |
25 Jan 10 |
|
Management of the economy |
62% |
66% |
64% |
62% |
61% |
63% |
Ensuring a quality education for all children |
29% |
35% |
26% |
22% |
26% |
23% |
Ensuring the quality of Australia’s health system |
52% |
57% |
47% |
47% |
49% |
48% |
Protecting the environment |
14% |
14% |
11% |
13% |
15% |
16% |
A fair industrial relations system |
12% |
8% |
12% |
11% |
8% |
na |
Political leadership |
14% |
15% |
25% |
18% |
17% |
23% |
Addressing climate change |
9% |
9% |
9% |
10% |
15% |
16% |
Controlling interest rates |
9% |
11% |
9% |
11% |
13% |
15% |
Australian jobs and protection of local industries |
40% |
32% |
41% |
36% |
32% |
33% |
Ensuring a quality water supply |
4% |
5% |
3% |
4% |
5% |
12% |
Housing affordability |
11% |
14% |
13% |
13% |
16% |
14% |
Ensuring a fair taxation system |
21% |
17% |
18% |
16% |
17% |
14% |
Security and the war on terrorism |
6% |
5% |
5% |
4% |
8% |
9% |
Treatment of asylum seekers |
6% |
6% |
10% |
8% |
5% |
na |
Managing population growth |
9% |
7% |
8% |
8% |
12% |
na |
*Not asked
62% of people surveyed rated management of the economy as one of their three most important issues, followed by 52% ensuring the quality of Australia’s health system, 40% Australian jobs and protection of local industries and 29% ensuring a quality education for all children.
Since November, there has been an increase in the importance of Australian jobs and protection of local industries (+8%) and a decline in the importance of ensuring a quality education for all children (-6%) and ensuring the quality of Australia’s health system (-5%).
11 February 2013, 110213, asylum seekers, controlling interest rates, Education, eleciton issues, management of the economy, party trust, war on terrorism
Q. Which party would you trust most to handle the following issues?
Labor |
Liberal |
Greens |
Don’t know |
Diff |
Diff |
Diff |
|
Management of the economy |
31% |
46% |
3% |
21% |
-15 |
-14 |
-18 |
Ensuring a quality education for all children |
37% |
35% |
6% |
22% |
+2 |
+5 |
-2 |
Ensuring the quality of Australia’s health system |
33% |
36% |
6% |
25% |
-3 |
-3 |
-6 |
Protecting the environment |
20% |
21% |
39% |
20% |
+18 |
+16 |
+17 |
A fair industrial relations system |
39% |
33% |
4% |
23% |
+6 |
+9 |
+6 |
Political leadership |
29% |
37% |
6% |
29% |
-8 |
-12 |
-16 |
Addressing climate change |
21% |
24% |
29% |
26% |
+5 |
+9 |
+7 |
Controlling interest rates |
27% |
41% |
3% |
30% |
-14 |
-11 |
-18 |
Protecting Australian jobs and protection of local industries |
33% |
36% |
4% |
27% |
-3 |
-2 |
-6 |
Ensuring a quality water supply |
21% |
27% |
23% |
29% |
-6 |
-7 |
-12 |
Housing affordability |
27% |
33% |
5% |
35% |
-6 |
-5 |
-11 |
Ensuring a fair taxation system |
31% |
37% |
4% |
28% |
-6 |
-9 |
-10 |
Security and the war on terrorism |
25% |
38% |
4% |
33% |
-13 |
-15 |
-22 |
Treatment of asylum seekers |
20% |
37% |
14% |
30% |
-17 |
-18 |
-20 |
Managing population growth |
21% |
33% |
7% |
39% |
-12 |
-15 |
-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.
Labor has a significant lead over the Liberal Party only on ensuring a fair industrial relations system. The Liberal Party has maintained strong leads on management of the economy, controlling interest rates, political leadership, security and the war on terrorism, treatment of asylum seekers and managing population growth.
There is little difference between Labor and the Liberals on ensuring a quality education for all children, ensuring the quality of Australia’s health system and protecting Australian jobs and protection of local industries. Since November, there has been very little shift on any issue.
17 December 2012, 171212, banks, environment, Family First, management of the economy, mining, the medi
Q. Thinking about the last 12 months, has it been a good or bad year for each of the following?
Total good (Dec 10 |
Total bad (Dec 10) |
Total good (Dec 11) |
Total bad (Dec 11) |
Total good (Dec 12) |
Total bad (Dec 12) |
Very good |
Good |
Neither good nor |
Bad |
Very bad |
Don’t know |
|
The banks |
69% |
13% |
71% |
8% |
68% |
11% |
30% |
38% |
17% |
8% |
3% |
5% |
The mining industry |
57% |
14% |
68% |
11% |
53% |
19% |
17% |
36% |
22% |
15% |
4% |
6% |
Large companies and corporations |
44% |
15% |
40% |
22% |
32% |
31% |
5% |
27% |
32% |
25% |
6% |
6% |
The Australian economy |
41% |
20% |
33% |
31% |
29% |
37% |
4% |
25% |
32% |
28% |
9% |
3% |
You and your family |
na |
na |
na |
na |
29% |
36% |
6% |
23% |
34% |
25% |
11% |
2% |
The media |
30% |
14% |
25% |
27% |
21% |
40% |
5% |
16% |
33% |
29% |
11% |
6% |
Farming and agriculture |
14% |
50% |
23% |
40% |
20% |
40% |
2% |
18% |
33% |
28% |
12% |
7% |
Trade unions |
na |
na |
na |
na |
18% |
30% |
4% |
14% |
37% |
22% |
8% |
15% |
The environment |
14% |
37% |
20% |
33% |
18% |
37% |
3% |
15% |
40% |
26% |
11% |
6% |
The average Australian |
na |
na |
na |
na |
17% |
45% |
2% |
15% |
36% |
34% |
11% |
3% |
Small business |
14% |
45% |
10% |
61% |
10% |
62% |
1% |
9% |
24% |
39% |
23% |
5% |
Australian politics in general |
na |
na |
na |
na |
9% |
61% |
2% |
7% |
26% |
29% |
32% |
4% |
A majority of respondents think it has been a good year for the banks (68%) and the mining industry (53%). They are split over whether it has been a good year for large companies and corporations (32% good/31% bad). However, they are much more likely to think the year has been bad for small business (62%), Australian politics in general (61%), the average Australian (45%), farming and agriculture (40%) and the media (40%).
Compared to last year’s results, respondents considered 2012 a worse year than 2011 for the mining industry (“good” down 15% to 53%), large companies and corporations (“good” down 8% to 32%) and the media (“bad” up 13% to 40%).
agriculture, construction, economy, Finance, future, hospitality, management of the economy, manufacturing, media, mining, Retail, telecommunications, tourism
Q. And which of these industries are the three most important for Australia’s economic future?
Total | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | |
Mining | 67% | 77% | 67% | 61% |
Agriculture | 58% | 57% | 59% | 58% |
Tourism | 46% | 47% | 43% | 56% |
Manufacturing | 37% | 30% | 40% | 36% |
Construction | 25% | 26% | 26% | 31% |
Finance | 21% | 18% | 23% | 17% |
Retail | 17% | 18% | 17% | 12% |
Telecommunications | 14% | 16% | 11% | 20% |
Hospitality | 10% | 10% | 9% | 6% |
Media | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% |
Don’t know | 4% | * | 4% | 3% |
Australia’s most important industries are thought to be mining (67%), agriculture (58%), tourism (46%) and manufacturing (37%). Opinions are consistent across voter groups in terms of order of importance.