Voters are strongly opposed to bringing in foreign workers, new polling from Essential Research finds, and believe mining companies’ only motivation is cheap labour.
Around 60% of voters disapprove of bringing in overseas workers compared to only 16% who approve. Some 35% say they strongly disapprove, and the feeling is strong across all voting groups — Labor, Liberal and Greens voters all feel about the same.
Almost 60% believe mining companies bring in foreign labour simply because it is cheaper; only 18% believe Australia doesn’t have enough skilled workers and 17% that Australians don’t want to work in the industry.
Half (49%) of voters also believe mining companies will continue to develop projects here, compared to 32% who believe labour costs and taxes might drive them away, although that is primarily Liberal voters.
Meanwhile, Julia Gillard’s personal approval has improved slightly, with a one-point rise in approval to 32% and a four-point drop in disapproval to 56%. However, Tony Abbott has hit his lowest approval ratings, with approval down four points to 32%, while disapproval has remained about the same: from 53% to 54%. Gillard has dropped a point in the preferred PM stakes, leaving the leaders tied at 37% each.
On voting intention, there’s been little change, with Coalition and Labor primary votes both down one point to 49% and 32% respectively and the Greens unchanged on 10%. The 2PP outcome washes out at 56-44, the same as last week.
Essential polling also shows the Craig Thomson and Peter Slipper affairs have inflicted serious damage on parliament’s reputation. Trust in parliament has fallen from 55% in September last year to 22%, and trade unions have also taken a hammering, falling from 39% to 22%. The Reserve Bank has also declined in standing, from 67% to 49%; religious organisation are down two points to 27%; environment groups down 13% to 32% and business groups down 38% to 22%.
The only organisation that has picked up trust is the ABC, up from 46% to 54% — second only to the High Court on 60%.
Obviously those polled who ‘trust’ the ABC are hard of hearing and short sighted and watch and listen to ABC for the country shows and Jane Eyre reruns
Good piece Bernard, also I liked what you had to say on ABC radio this morning.
Id be interested to know with this stat.
“Trust in parliament has fallen from 55% in September last year to 22%”
Is that due to the two people mentioned or the behavior of the opposition to both situations & their behind the scene involvement. A person could easily draw that conclusion with the Mr Abbotts rating.
I think the PM was exceptional last night on Q&A. Although don’t agree with her on one issue, gay marriage. Even with their standard liberal stacked ordinance, has anyone else noticed there has not been an episode where the liberal party has had less than 40% & labor less that low 30%. She performed with dignity & openness. Will we see a rise in her numbers in the weeks to come?
I would like to see if Tony Jones was so aggressive to Mr Abbott is he ever grew a pair & appeared on the Q&A, why is he so scared, more running away I think seems he is getting better & better at that, & the media just can’t keep up, or don’t want to?.
Dear Zach,
Latest headline on the ABC site
“PM’s economic forum a ‘charm offensive’: Abbott” as usual the ABC leads with the oppositions talking point of the day so if your point is well made.
Never the less about 750K tuned into Q&A.
Given the PMs strong performance I would consider there is a bounce in her ratings.
That Abbott lacks the guts to front on Q&A just confirms his unfitness
I am sure his handlers would have nightmares at him being in such an unscripted venue.
His inability to think under pressure and propensity to paniv would be there for all to see.
Come the election I am sure he will avoid all public debates where there is any hint of opennness
But what an awful number for anyone drawing breath – “the same PM preferral rate as Tony Abbott”?
Klewso. I am disgusted by that; but,there are a lot of people, who have spent a lot of money, (big tobacco, fat miners & big business), happy with that result. The blind hatred they have drummed up around the Prime Minister is a disgrace; but it has been effective. The good part of this is that the wing nutted manure spreader, with 70% of the available press, positive, protected & scripted, is just as hated.
I delight in imagining what his numbers would be without all the positive press his rubbish gets & what hers would be with some positive or supportive press. Look at the leveson inquiry to find out how destructive that mob can be. The problem for the PM is that the ex PM is still working for the dark side as well. That she rates in positive figures at all is a miracle.