Q. Which of the following statements is closest to your view?

The majority (65%) of Australians believe that an active government is necessary to provide important public services, and to protect ordinary Australians from unfair policies and practices on the part of large financial and/or industrial groups.

Just 17% agree with the counter point, that ‘We don’t need big government and extensive regulation of business and finance to take care of these matters:  the market itself can deal with many of these issues on their own’.

There has been no significant shift in attitudes since the last time this question was asked in April 2012.

Although Green voters were more likely to select the first statement (77%), the majority of Labor (68%) and Lib/Nat voters did so also.

Q.  Overall, do you think Government in Australia is too large and tries to do too much?

44% think that Government in Australia is too large and tries to do too much and 28% think it is not too large.

Those most likely to think Government is too large were men (55%), aged 55+ (58%), and Liberal/National voters (55%).

Those most likely to think Government is not too large were aged under 35 (36%) and Labor voters (44%).

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Q.  For each of the following issues, do you think the Government does too much, too little or just about the right amount:

Respondents were more likely to think the Government does too little on each of the issues measured.

In particular, they think the Government does too little in terms of health care services (74%), adequate, affordable and accessible public transport (67%), roads, bridges and other public transportation (63%) and making sure the banks and other large financial institutions operate honestly and treat their clients fairly (62%).

Issues over which they were more divided were protecting citizens from industrial and other kinds of pollution (46% about right/too much) and ensuring that our population is protected from crime, terrorism and other threats (46% about right/too much).

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