South Australian battery
Q. It was recently announced by the South Australian government that technology company Tesla will construct the “world’s largest battery” in South Australia. The battery will store wind energy to be used in high-demand periods, with the aim of increasing the reliability of the South Australian energy grid. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea?
Total | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | Vote other | ||
Total good idea | 73% | 79% | 70% | 82% | 69% | |
Total bad idea | 5% | 1% | 8% | 1% | 11% | |
Very good idea | 42% | 48% | 40% | 46% | 39% | |
Good idea | 31% | 31% | 30% | 36% | 30% | |
Neither god nor bad idea | 14% | 12% | 14% | 13% | 14% | |
Bad idea | 2% | 1% | 3% | 1% | 5% | |
Very bad idea | 3% | <1% | 5% | – | 6% | |
Don’t know | 8% | 8% | 7% | 3% | 6% |
73% agree that the construction of the battery in South Australia is a good idea and 5% think it is a bad idea. Those most likely to think it is a good idea were Greens voters (82%), Labor voters (79%) and university educated (79%).
65% of South Australian respondents think it is a good idea, 8% think it is a bad idea and 22% think it is neither. (note – small sample)
Operation of power generation and distribution
Q. Which is closer to your view?
Total |
Vote Labor |
Vote Lib/Nat |
Vote Greens |
|
Power generation and distribution should be operated by private companies, because they are more efficient and competition will keep prices down |
24% |
20% |
31% |
9% |
Power generation and distribution should be operated by government, because it is not motivated by profit and will keep our energy supply secure |
56% |
66% |
52% |
68% |
Don’t know |
19% |
13% |
17% |
23% |
56% agree that power generation and distribution should be operated by government and 24% think they should be operated by private companies.
Liberal/National voters (31%) were most likely to support operation by private companies while highest support for Government operation came from Labor voters (66%), Greens voters (68%) and respondents aged 45+ (63%).

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