Trust Most to Handle Economy
Q. Who would you trust most to handle Australia’s economy – the Treasurer Wayne Swan or the Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey?
|
Total |
Vote Labor |
Vote Lib/Nat |
Vote Greens |
|
| Wayne Swan |
34% |
77% |
6% |
51% |
| Joe Hockey |
33% |
5% |
65% |
6% |
| Don’t know |
33% |
18% |
29% |
43% |
34% would trust Wayne Swan most to handle the economy and 33% would trust Joe Hockey most. 33% could not give an opinion.
Those aged under 35 trust Wayne Swan more (32%/21%) and those aged 55+ trust Joe Hockey more (47%/31%).
TRENDS: Who loves a nanny state?
Peter Lewis talks us through our love for a nanny state — as long as it doesn’t overstep the mark
The metaphorical nannies are out to control us; to mollycoddle and corrupt us; to intervene and suppress the free spirit in those of us who just want to puff on a ciggie or punt on a pokie or jump off a cliff because the other kids are doing it.
But while collectively we denounce a controlling nanny state, EMC polling shows that most of us actually like a designated grown up. Peter Lewis talks us through the details on 3Q.
Federal politics – voting intention
Q. If a Federal Election was held today to which party will you probably give your first preference vote? If not sure, which party are you currently leaning toward?
Q. If don’t know -Well which party are you currently leaning to?
Sample size = 1,909 respondents
| First preference/leaning to |
Election 21 Aug 10 |
4 weeks ago 10/4/12 |
2 weeks ago 23/4/12 |
Last week 30/4/12 |
This week 7/5/12 |
| Liberal |
|
47% |
45% |
46% |
47% |
| National |
|
3% |
3% |
3% |
3% |
| Total Lib/Nat |
43.6% |
50% |
49% |
50% |
50% |
| Labor |
38.0% |
31% |
31% |
31% |
29% |
| Greens |
11.8% |
11% |
11% |
11% |
11% |
| Other/Independent |
6.6% |
9% |
9% |
9% |
9% |
| 2PP |
Election 21 Aug 10 |
4 weeks ago |
2 weeks ago |
Last week |
This week |
| Total Lib/Nat |
49.9% |
57% |
56% |
57% |
58% |
| Labor |
50.1% |
43% |
44% |
43% |
42% |
NB. The data in the above tables comprise 2-week averages derived from the first preference/leaning to voting questions. Respondents who select ‘don’t know’ are not included in the results. The two-party preferred estimate is calculated by distributing the votes of the other parties according to their preferences at the 2010 election. These estimates have a confidence interval of approx. + or – 2%.
The Australian Economy
Q. Thinking about the state of the world economy, how do you think the Australian economy has performed over the last few years compared to other countries?
|
15 Aug 11 |
Total |
Vote Labor |
Vote Lib/Nat |
Vote Greens |
|
| Total better |
70% |
66% |
80% |
60% |
73% |
| Total worse |
10% |
15% |
8% |
19% |
10% |
| A lot better |
31% |
29% |
49% |
19% |
38% |
| A little better |
39% |
37% |
31% |
41% |
35% |
| About the same |
16% |
16% |
12% |
20% |
17% |
| A little worse |
7% |
9% |
6% |
10% |
8% |
| A lot worse |
3% |
6% |
2% |
9% |
2% |
| Don’t know |
3% |
3% |
1% |
1% |
1% |
66% think that Australia’s economy has performed better than other countries over the last few years, 16% say about the same and 15% think it has been worse. This represents a shift from net +60 to net +51 since this question was previous asked in August last year.
There were no substantial differences across demographic groups although those on higher incomes are a little more likely to believe it has performed better – 71% of those on incomes over $1,600pw compared to 61% of those earning under $1,000pw.
Trust to deal with GFC
Q. If there was another Global Financial Crisis, which party would you trust most to deal with it?
|
15 Aug 11 |
Total |
Vote Labor |
Vote Lib/Nat |
Vote Greens |
|
| The Labor Party |
31% |
25% |
68% |
2% |
42% |
| The Liberal Party |
40% |
42% |
5% |
83% |
5% |
| No difference |
20% |
23% |
19% |
11% |
39% |
| Don’t know |
9% |
10% |
8% |
4% |
14% |
If there was another GFC, 42% would trust the Liberal Party more to handle it and 25% would trust the Labor Party more. This represents a shift to the Liberal Party from net +9% to net +17%
The Liberal Party was rated higher than Labor with all demographic groups. Those most likely to trust the Liberal Party more were men (47%), aged 55+ (48%), full-time workers (50%) and income over $1,600 pw (50%).
The Economy
Q. Over the next 12 months do you think economic conditions in Australia will get better, get worse or stay much the same?
|
1 Dec 08 |
15 Jun 09 |
5 Oct 09 |
28 Jun 10 |
18 Oct 10 |
4 April 11 |
4 Jul 11 |
3 Oct 11 |
26 Mar 12 |
Total |
Vote Labor |
Vote Lib/Nat |
Vote Greens |
|
| Total better |
21% |
43% |
66% |
33% |
40% |
27% |
22% |
16% |
25% |
23% |
39% |
18% |
22% |
| Total worse |
61% |
37% |
15% |
31% |
30% |
37% |
49% |
58% |
46% |
46% |
31% |
59% |
30% |
| Get a lot better |
2% |
5% |
8% |
5% |
6% |
4% |
3% |
2% |
3% |
2% |
7% |
1% |
1% |
| Get a little better |
19% |
38% |
58% |
28% |
34% |
23% |
19% |
14% |
22% |
21% |
32% |
17% |
21% |
| Get a little worse |
45% |
28% |
11% |
23% |
20% |
27% |
31% |
41% |
31% |
31% |
27% |
37% |
22% |
| Get a lot worse |
16% |
9% |
4% |
8% |
10% |
10% |
18% |
17% |
15% |
15% |
4% |
22% |
8% |
| Stay much the same |
13% |
17% |
15% |
30% |
24% |
27% |
25% |
22% |
21% |
25% |
28% |
19% |
41% |
| No opinion |
5% |
3% |
4% |
7% |
6% |
8% |
4% |
4% |
7% |
6% |
2% |
3% |
8% |
Confidence in the economic outlook has shown little change since March. The percentage of respondents believing conditions to be getting better declined 2 points to 23%, while those believing that economic conditions will get worse over the next 12 months remained at 46%.
Labor voters are optimistic overall – 39% better/31% worse. Coalition voters are the most pessimistic, with 59% believing that thing will get worse over the next 12 months and only 18% better.
There was little difference across demographic groups.
Politicians Accused of an Offence
Q. In general, if a politician is accused of an offence, do you think they should stand down from the positions they hold or should they be allowed to continue in their positions until a decision is made about their guilt or innocence?
|
Total |
Vote Labor |
Vote Lib/Nat |
Vote Greens |
|
| Should stand down from their positions |
62% |
50% |
73% |
46% |
| Should be allowed to continue in their positions |
27% |
41% |
20% |
39% |
| Don’t know |
10% |
9% |
8% |
15% |
62% think that if a politician is accused of an offence, they should stand down from the positions they hold and 27% think should they be allowed to continue in their positions until a decision is made about their guilt or innocence.
All demographic and voter groups were more likely to think they should stand down – although Labor (41%) and Greens (39%) voters recorded the highest support for allowing them to continue. Older respondents were more likely to think they should stand down – those aged 55+ split 72% stand down/23% continue and those aged 18-34 split 51% stand down/36% continue.
Bank Regulation
Q. Thinking about banks in Australia, would you support or oppose the Government taking the following actions on banking?
|
Total support |
Total oppose |
Strongly support |
Support |
Oppose |
Strongly oppose |
Don’t know |
|
| Establishing a Government-owned bank |
55% |
23% |
21% |
34% |
15% |
8% |
22% |
| Only permitting banks to change interest rates in line with Reserve Bank rates. |
74% |
16% |
37% |
37% |
11% |
5% |
10% |
| Capping bank CEO’s salaries. |
81% |
12% |
55% |
26% |
9% |
3% |
7% |
| Ensuring bank fees are not higher than the actual cost of the service |
90% |
5% |
64% |
26% |
4% |
1% |
5% |
| Imposing a super profits tax on banks (like the mining tax) |
59% |
21% |
34% |
25% |
16% |
5% |
20% |
A majority of respondents supported all listed actions on banking. In particular, 90% supported regulating bank fees, 81% supported capping CEO salaries and 74% supported making banks pass on Reserve Bank interest rate changes.
There was majority support for all actions from both Labor and Liberal/National voters – although support tended to be stronger from Labor voters.
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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