Groups that Benefit from Mining Boom
Q. How much do the following groups benefit from the current boom in Australia’s mineral exports?
| Benefit a lot | Some benefit | A little benefit | No benefit | Don’t know | |
| Mining company executives | 68% | 10% | 5% | 3% | 14% |
| Mining company shareholders | 48% | 28% | 7% | 3% | 14% |
| Foreign companies | 42% | 25% | 8% | 3% | 23% |
| Federal government | 37% | 35% | 10% | 2% | 15% |
| State governments | 31% | 38% | 12% | 2% | 16% |
| Regional communities | 12% | 30% | 29% | 10% | 17% |
| All Australians | 11% | 29% | 32% | 13% | 16% |
The main beneficiaries of the current boom in Australia’s mineral exports were thought to be mining company executives (68% benefit a lot), mining company shareholders (48%) and foreign companies (42%). Only 11% thought that all Australians benefit a lot and 12% thought regional communities benefit a lot.
Views were mostly similar across demographics.
Labor voters were a little more likely to think that there was a lot of benefit to all Australians (18%) and mining company shareholders (53%).
Liberal/National voters were a little more likely to think that there was a lot of benefit to State Governments (37%) and the Federal Government (46%).
Groups that Should Benefit from Mining Boom
Q. And should the following groups receive more or less benefit from the current boom in minerals exports or is the current benefit they receive about right?
| Should benefit more | Should benefit less | Current benefit about right | Don’t know | |
| All Australians | 68% | 1% | 15% | 16% |
| Regional communities | 58% | 6% | 19% | 17% |
| State governments | 30% | 17% | 32% | 20% |
| Federal government | 27% | 23% | 30% | 20% |
| Mining company shareholders | 12% | 28% | 41% | 18% |
| Foreign companies | 4% | 56% | 18% | 22% |
| Mining company executives | 4% | 57% | 21% | 18% |
A majority of respondents think there should be more benefits to all Australians (68%) and regional communities (58%). A majority also believe there should be less benefit to mining company executives (57%) and foreign companies (56%).
75% of Labor voters, 65% of Liberal/National voters and 84% of Greens voters think all Australians should benefit more.
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