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 |
Vote other |
|
13 Aug 13 |
|
Foreign aid |
79% |
72% |
83% |
56% |
92% |
76% |
||
The arts |
70% |
64% |
75% |
44% |
61% |
70% |
||
Private schools |
65% |
76% |
57% |
68% |
70% |
59% |
||
Subsidies for business |
61% |
59% |
62% |
70% |
57% |
59% |
||
Welfare support |
44% |
31% |
54% |
46% |
37% |
43% |
||
Support for manufacturing industries |
43% |
34% |
46% |
46% |
34% |
32% |
||
Defence |
38% |
47% |
31% |
68% |
36% |
34% |
||
The environment |
36% |
32% |
41% |
6% |
45% |
36% |
||
Border security |
23% |
33% |
12% |
60% |
27% |
18% |
||
Universities |
23% |
24% |
26% |
16% |
17% |
18% |
||
Public transport |
15% |
18% |
13% |
20% |
16% |
14% |
||
Roads |
12% |
15% |
9% |
12% |
16% |
12% |
||
Pensions |
12% |
13% |
12% |
6% |
13% |
9% |
||
Public schools |
9% |
8% |
10% |
8% |
13% |
9% |
||
Health and hospitals |
8% |
10% |
9% |
7% |
6% |
5% |
Of those who think spending should be reduced, 79% think spending on foreign aid should be reduced, 70% the arts, 65% private schools and 61% subsidies for business.
The areas least likely to be nominated for spending cuts were health and hospitals, public schools, pensions and roads.
Since this question was asked in August, the percentage thinking that spending on support for manufacturing industries should be reduced has increased from 32% to 43%.

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