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Where Government should reduce spending

5 Mar 2014

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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