The electorate has hardened its view of the government’s most controversial budget reforms, today’s Essential Report shows, while voters strongly support higher corporate taxes.
Essential’s poll asked voters how they feel about a range of government decisions or programs. Its success in stopping the flow of asylum seekers, cutting foreign aid and abolishing the carbon price were all strongly supported. But its decision to send military aid to Iraq splits voters 44% for and 43% against; as does the mining tax, 41% for and 42% against. Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews’ plan to punish young, unemployed people with a six-month wait for benefits is opposed (52%-38%), which represents a significant increase in disapproval from when similar questions were asked in the immediate post-budget period. Cutting public service jobs is opposed (52%-34%) — a rise from 43%-31% in May; funding cuts to the ABC are opposed (58%-25%) — up from 41%-27%; increasing the pension age (63%-28%) is less opposed than in May (61%-17%); the Medicare co-payment (66%-27%) is even less popular now (50%-29%); deregulating university fees remains, on balance, as unpopular as in May (63%-22% compared to 58%-17%).
The increased voter hostility toward some of the flagship budget initiatives of the Abbott government illustrates how unsuccessful it has been in convincing the electorate of the need for its measures, despite voters agreeing that the federal budget needs to be repaired and despite an extended effort by the government to sell the case for individual measures. However, the government’s overall support has remained the same, with the Coalition’s primary vote on 40% and Labor’s on 39%; the Greens remain on 10% and the Palmer United Party on 4% for the same two-party preferred outcome, 52%-48% to Labor.
The poll also confirms that voters, regardless of partisan allegiance, support higher corporate taxes. With extensive evidence of tax dodging by many of our biggest companies, 59% of voters believe making big corporations pay more tax would be good for the economy while just 17% believe it would be bad for the economy. Labor voters split 68%-13% on the question, but Liberal voters aren’t vastly different, splitting 52%-26%.
The poll also shows cost-of-living issues continue to dominate voter economic concerns, despite an extended period of low inflation. Fifty-seven per cent identified the cost of electricity and gas, which has increased much faster than inflation, as their most concerning issue; 49% identified the cost of petrol; 45% the cost of food and groceries; housing affordability was the most commonly identified non-hip-pocket issue (40%); least commonly identified were the budget deficit and national debt, both identified as the most concerning issue by 21% of voters.
The expected Coalition ‘bounce’ seems to be nonexistent!
It seems most voters are more discerning that some commentators gave them credit for!!
I cannot understand how there is any support for the war in Iraq (followed by Syria and WTFK where else, except we will eventually be told by the US/UK when where and how many). In my understanding, a humanitarian effort involves food blankets tents medicine community building seeds etc etc, not bombs. Bombs have only one purpose and it isn’t humanitarian, it is war. The budget? Well who would know? The flimflamming is so spectacular someone should call for a ringmaster.
The LNP is working the ” ignorance factor” in the marginals after 3 or 4 major backfilps. The member for Boothby sees the while backdown as a triumph for the LNP.
Here is my facebook post on the matter.
A bullshit letter from Southcott – the Member for Boothby SA today claiming that the LNP is supporting pensioners with increases from 20 Sept and that it is retaining the Energy Suppliment for pensioners. Credit where Credit is due and to put the record straight — THANK YOU LABOR AND THE CROSS BENCHES for your defence of pensioners and their entitlements from the cruel LNP BUDGET CUTS which Southcott supported! — WE really appreciate your efforts for and on behalf of ALL Pensioners- he is even claiming the benefits changes for self funded retirees? He also mentioned that power prices are falling — where — certainly not in SA– our gas bill has skyrocketed with more rises expected. This letter is a classic of misinformation. ” the line — I know many in our community have been upset by Labor’s misleading and discredited claims on the Government’s support for pensioners”. The Boothby Community are more likey to be upset at the LNP for all the stress and anxiety that the Hockey Budget has posed for pensioners, the unemployed, youth, school and university students, the disabled, young families with school aged childern and the disadvantaged in our community generally. We await your apology.