Opinion of Mining Tax
Q. Do you approve or disapprove of the proposed mining tax (called the Minerals Resource Rent Tax) on large profits of mining companies?
|
12 Jul 2010 |
5 Sep 2011 |
21 Nov |
20 Feb 2012 |
12 Mar 2012 |
Total |
Vote Labor |
Vote Lib/Nat |
Vote Greens |
|
| Total approve |
50% |
46% |
51% |
55% |
52% |
51% |
77% |
35% |
77% |
| Total disapprove |
28% |
34% |
33% |
28% |
34% |
29% |
8% |
50% |
7% |
| Strongly approve |
13% |
18% |
18% |
23% |
20% |
19% |
36% |
8% |
41% |
| Approve |
37% |
28% |
33% |
32% |
32% |
32% |
41% |
27% |
36% |
| Disapprove |
18% |
18% |
20% |
17% |
22% |
20% |
6% |
33% |
7% |
| Strongly disapprove |
10% |
16% |
13% |
11% |
12% |
9% |
2% |
17% |
– |
| Don’t know |
22% |
19% |
15% |
17% |
14% |
20% |
16% |
15% |
16% |
51% approve the Government’s proposed mining tax and 29% disapprove. This represents a strengthening in support over the last 6 weeks (from net +18% to net +22%).
Labor voters (77%) and Greens voters (77%) strongly support the tax – but Liberal/National voters disapprove 50% to 35%.
RSPT
Q. Which of the following statements is closest to your view in relation to the Government’s proposed resources super profits tax?
| Total | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | |
| The new tax will result in mining companies cutting back on their investments in Australia and there will be a significant loss of Australian jobs | 42% | 16% | 72% |
| Mining companies will continue to make large profits. They are just trying to avoid paying their fair share of tax. | 40% | 69% | 16% |
| Don’t know | 17% | 15% | 11% |
Respondents were split over which statement best described their view of the Government’s proposed resources super profits tax – 42% agreed “the new tax will result in mining companies cutting back on their investments in Australia and there will be a significant loss of Australian jobs” and 40% agreed “mining companies will continue to make large profits. They are just trying to avoid paying their fair share of tax”.
Opinions were strongly related to party preference – 69% of Labor voters agreed that “mining companies will continue to make large profits. They are just trying to avoid paying their fair share of tax” and 72% of Liberal/National voters agreed that “the new tax will result in mining companies cutting back on their investments in Australia and there will be a significant loss of Australian jobs”.
53% of those on low incomes (<$600pw) agreed that “mining companies will continue to make large profits. They are just trying to avoid paying their fair share of tax”. Comments »
Australia’s economy
Q. How important are each of the following for Australia to have a strong economy?
| Very important | Somewhat important | Not so important | Don’t know | |
| Low inflation | 43% | 42% | 5% | 10% |
| Low unemployment rate | 57% | 33% | 3% | 6% |
| Increased company profits | 17% | 46% | 26% | 11% |
| Low interest rates | 38% | 43% | 10% | 9% |
| A reduction in Government spending | 35% | 38% | 19% | 9% |
| Higher GDP | 27% | 41% | 6% | 26% |
| Increasing share prices | 20% | 40% | 23% | 16% |
| Increased wages for workers | 30% | 48% | 15% | 7% |
Over half (57%) of those surveyed think that low unemployment rates is a very important for Australia to have a strong economy, 43% think low inflation is very important and 38% think low interest rates are very important.
Labor voters were more likely to think that increased wages for workers are very important for Australia to have a strong economy (36%).
Coalition voters were more likely to think that increased company profits (22%), a reduction in Government spending (48%) and an increasing in share prices (23%) are very important for Australia to have a strong economy.
There were no substantial differences amongst the various demographic groups. Comments »
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