Essential Report
Where Government should reduce spending
If “Reduce spending” or “both” –
Q. In which of the following areas should the Government reduce spending?
Total |
|
Vote Labor |
Vote Lib/Nat |
Vote Greens |
|
Foreign aid |
76% |
72% |
82% |
43% |
|
The arts |
70% |
65% |
76% |
29% |
|
Subsidies for business |
59% |
65% |
57% |
58% |
|
Private schools |
59% |
63% |
56% |
38% |
|
Welfare support |
43% |
33% |
53% |
17% |
|
The environment |
36% |
22% |
49% |
12% |
|
Defence |
34% |
36% |
30% |
68% |
|
Support for manufacturing industries |
32% |
31% |
34% |
37% |
|
Border security |
18% |
18% |
17% |
43% |
|
Universities |
18% |
12% |
25% |
9% |
|
Public transport |
14% |
11% |
18% |
14% |
|
Roads |
12% |
10% |
11% |
33% |
|
Public schools |
9% |
7% |
12% |
12% |
|
Pensions |
9% |
6% |
11% |
15% |
|
Health and hospitals |
5% |
6% |
5% |
9% |
Of those who think spending should be reduced, 76% think spending on foreign aid should be reduced, 70% the arts, 59% subsidies for business and 59% private schools.
The areas least likely to be nominated for spending cuts were health and hospitals, pensions and public schools.

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
Sign up for updates
Receive the Essential Report in your inbox.Essential Tags
2PP
Abbott
ALP
Anthony Albanese
Approval of opposition leader
Approval of Tony Abbott
asylum seekers
Australian economy
Bill Shorten
Carbon Tax
climate change
coronavirus
covid-19
economy
Education
Election
EMC
environment
ER
Essential Media
Essential Report
Federal Budget
Federal Government
federal politics
Gillard
Greens
Julia Gillard
kevin rudd
Labor
Labor Party
Liberal
Liberal Party
Liberals
mining
Nationals
Opposition leader
peter lewis
Polling
polls
Prime Minister
Scott Morrison
tony abbott
two party preferred
voting
Voting intention
Recent Comments
