Australian Industries
Q. Thinking about Australian industries, how would you rate the current state of the following industries?
Total good | Total poor | Very good | Good | Poor | Very poor | |
Mining | 85% | 15% | 76% | 9% | 2% | 13% |
Construction | 77% | 23% | 47% | 30% | 7% | 16% |
Hospitality | 81% | 19% | 46% | 35% | 7% | 12% |
Tourism | 81% | 19% | 45% | 36% | 7% | 12% |
Finance | 76% | 24% | 44% | 32% | 8% | 16% |
Telecommunications | 78% | 22% | 43% | 35% | 11% | 11% |
Media | 72% | 28% | 38% | 34% | 12% | 16% |
Agriculture | 75% | 25% | 36% | 39% | 9% | 16% |
Retail | 75% | 25% | 26% | 49% | 16% | 9% |
Manufacturing | 62% | 38% | 19% | 43% | 22% | 16% |
76% rate the state of the mining industry as very good – the only industry to score above 50%. However at least 75% think all other industries except manufacturing are in a very good or good state.
Only 19% rate manufacturing as very good – and 38% rate it poor or very poor.
Important election issues
Q. Which are the three most important issues in deciding how you would vote at a Federal election? (Number from 1 to 3 where 1 is the most important, 2 the second most important, etc)
One | Two | Three | Total | Total 10th May 10 | Total 25th Jan 10 | |
Management of the economy | 38% | 15% | 9% | 62% | 62% | 63% |
Ensuring a quality education for all children | 6% | 12% | 14% | 32% | 19% | 23% |
Ensuring the quality of Australia’s health system | 14% | 21% | 13% | 48% | 50% | 48% |
Protecting the environment | 3% | 4% | 5% | 12% | 13% | 16% |
A fair industrial relations system | 3% | 5% | 3% | 11% | 10% | * |
Political leadership | 6% | 5% | 5% | 16% | 12% | 23% |
Addressing climate change | 4% | 3% | 4% | 11% | 12% | 16% |
Controlling interest rates | 4% | 6% | 7% | 17% | 16% | 15% |
Australian jobs and protection of local industries | 8% | 10% | 12% | 30% | 29% | 33% |
Ensuring a quality water supply | 1% | 3% | 2% | 6% | 7% | 12% |
Housing affordability | 5% | 4% | 8% | 17% | 17% | 14% |
Ensuring a fair taxation system | 4% | 5% | 7% | 16% | 17% | 14% |
Security and the war on terrorism | 1% | 2% | 3% | 6% | 7% | 9% |
Treatment of asylum seekers | 1% | 2% | 2% | 5% | * | * |
Managing population growth | 2% | 3% | 5% | 10% | 14% | * |
*Not asked
62% of people surveyed rate management of the economy as one of their three most important issues, followed by 48% ensuring the quality of Australia’s health system, 32% ensuring a quality education for all children and 30% Australian jobs and protection of local industries.
Only 11% rate addressing climate change as one of their three most important issues and 6% rate ensuring a quality water supply. The major change since the previous survey in May, was an increase in the importance of ensuring a quality education for all children from 19% to 32%.

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
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