Q. If a Federal Election was held today to which party will you probably give your first preference vote? If not sure, which party are you currently leaning toward?
Q. If don’t know -Well which party are you currently leaning to
sample size = 1,924
| First preference/leaning to | 6 months ago | 4 weeks ago | 2 weeks ago | Last week | This week |
| Liberal | 38% | 42% | 41% | 42% | 43% |
| National | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% |
| Total Lib/Nat | 41% | 45% | 44% | 45% | 46% |
| Labor | 35% | 39% | 38% | 38% | 37% |
| Greens | 14% | 10% | 11% | 11% | 10% |
| Other/Independent | 10% | 7% | 7% | 6% | 7% |
| 2PP | 6 months ago | 4 weeks ago | 2 weeks ago | Last week
|
This week |
| Total Lib/Nat | 49% | 51% | 51% | 51% | 52% |
| Labor | 51% | 49% | 49% | 49% | 48% |
NB. The data in the above tables comprise 2-week averages derived the first preference/leaning to voting questions. Respondents who select ‘don’t know’ are not included in the results. The two-party preferred estimate is calculated by distributing the votes of the other parties according to their preferences at the 2010 election. Comments »
Q. Thinking about the last 12 months, has it been a good or bad year for each of the following?
| Total good | Total bad | Very good | Good | Neither good nor bad | Bad | Very bad | Don’t know | |
| The banks | 69% | 13% | 42% | 27% | 14% | 9% | 4% | 4% |
| The mining industry | 57% | 14% | 27% | 30% | 24% | 11% | 3% | 6% |
| Large companies and corporations | 44% | 15% | 10% | 34% | 35% | 13% | 2% | 7% |
| The Australian economy | 41% | 20% | 5% | 36% | 36% | 17% | 3% | 4% |
| The media | 30% | 14% | 8% | 22% | 45% | 10% | 4% | 10% |
| The environment | 14% | 37% | 2% | 12% | 43% | 28% | 9% | 5% |
| Small business | 14% | 45% | 2% | 12% | 35% | 34% | 11% | 6% |
| Farming and agriculture | 14% | 50% | 2% | 12% | 31% | 35% | 15% | 5% |
A majority of respondents think it has been a good year for the banks (69%) and the mining industry (57%). They are also more likely to think it has been a good year for large companies and corporations (44% good/15% bad), the economy (41%/20%), and the media (30%/14%).
However, they are more likely to think the year has been bad for farming and agriculture (50%), small business (45%) and the environment (37%).
In terms of the economy, all voter groups were more likely to think it has been a good year – Labor 55% good/11% bad, Liberal/National 33%/29% and Greens 53%/12%. Comments »
Q. Has it been a good or bad year for each of the following political parties?
| Total good | Total bad | Very good | Good | Neither good nor bad | Bad | Very bad | Don’t know | |
| The Greens | 42% | 21% | 9% | 33% | 28% | 12% | 9% | 8% |
| The Liberal Party | 33% | 27% | 8% | 25% | 33% | 20% | 7% | 7% |
| The Labor Party | 21% | 47% | 3% | 18% | 24% | 33% | 14% | 7% |
| Total | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | |||||
| Total good | Total bad | Total good | Total bad | Total good | Total bad | Total good | Total bad | |
| The Greens | 42% | 21% | 49% | 9% | 38% | 35% | 70% | 4% |
| The Liberal Party | 33% | 27% | 23% | 37% | 52% | 16% | 18% | 45% |
| The Labor Party | 21% | 47% | 36% | 27% | 16% | 67% | 18% | 53% |
Respondents were more likely to think it has been a good year for the Greens (42%) than the Liberal Party (33%) or the Labor Party (21%).
Among their own voters 70% think it has been a good year for the Greens, 52% the Liberal Party and 36% the Labor Party.
Men (40% good/27% bad) are more likely than women (26%/28%) to think it has been a good year for the Liberal Party Comments »
13
The Past Year – Politicians
Q. Has it been a good or bad year for each of the following politicians?
| Total good | Total bad | Very good | Good | Neither good nor bad | Bad | Very bad | Don’t know | |
| Julia Gillard | 49% | 25% | 14% | 35% | 22% | 17% | 8% | 4% |
| Bob Brown | 38% | 21% | 9% | 29% | 28% | 11% | 10% | 13% |
| Tony Abbott | 30% | 33% | 4% | 26% | 32% | 25% | 8% | 6% |
| Malcolm Turnbull | 10% | 43% | 1% | 9% | 35% | 30% | 13% | 11% |
| Kevin Rudd | 10% | 70% | 2% | 8% | 15% | 36% | 34% | 5% |
| Total | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | |||||
| Total good | Total bad | Total good | Total bad | Total good | Total bad | Total good | Total bad | |
| Julia Gillard | 49% | 25% | 69% | 8% | 36% | 43% | 57% | 17% |
| Bob Brown | 38% | 21% | 40% | 17% | 35% | 31% | 68% | 6% |
| Tony Abbott | 30% | 33% | 19% | 45% | 44% | 21% | 17% | 54% |
| Malcolm Turnbull | 10% | 43% | 6% | 50% | 15% | 42% | 6% | 50% |
| Kevin Rudd | 10% | 70% | 14% | 64% | 8% | 81% | 11% | 73% |
Overall, Julia Gillard (49% good/25% bad) and Bob Brown (38%/21%) are thought to have had a good year. Respondents were divided on whether Tony Abbott has had a good year (30%/33%).
A majority of their own voters thought Julia Gillard (69%) and Bob Brown (68%) have had a good year but only 44% of Liberal/National voters think Tony Abbott has had a good year. There is a substantial gender difference on the assessment of Tony Abbott – men split 37% good/30% bad and women 23% good/36% bad. Comments »
13
The Past Year – Personal
Q. Has it been a good or bad year for each of the following?
| Total good | Total bad | Very good | Good | Neither good nor bad | Bad | Very bad | Don’t know | |
| Your personal financial situation | 28% | 28% | 4% | 24% | 42% | 21% | 7% | 1% |
| Your workplace * | 43% | 21% | 6% | 37% | 33% | 17% | 4% | 3% |
| You and your family overall | 43% | 19% | 7% | 36% | 36% | 14% | 5% | 2% |
* based on working people
Respondents were evenly divided over whether it has been a good or bad year financially. Those most likely to say it was a good year were full-time workers (37% good/20% bad), aged under 35 (37%/23%) and incomes over $1,600pw (42%/20%).
Respondents were more positive about their workplace (43%/21%) and overall for themselves and their family (43%/19%). Younger respondents were a little more positive about themselves and their family– those aged under 35 split 50% good/13% bad. Comments »
13
News Sources – Weekdays
Q. Thinking about where you get your news, on an average weekday which of the following media would you use?
| Total | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | |
| Daily newspaper | 42% | 42% | 47% | 38% |
| Commercial (free-to-air) TV news | 64% | 68% | 67% | 57% |
| ABC TV news | 32% | 34% | 34% | 32% |
| SBS TV news | 12% | 10% | 11% | 19% |
| Pay TV news | 10% | 11% | 11% | 6% |
| Commercial radio news | 27% | 23% | 34% | 20% |
| ABC radio news | 17% | 17% | 17% | 22% |
| Internet news sites – e.g. newspaper sites, ABC, etc | 55% | 54% | 59% | 56% |
| Internet blogs | 6% | 4% | 7% | 10% |
| None of them | 5% | 2% | 3% | 10% |
The most commonly used news sources on weekdays are commercial TV news (64%), internet news sites (55%) and newspapers (42%).
Respondents aged 45+ were more likely to use commercial TV news (70%), newspapers (48%), and ABC TV news (43%). Those aged under 35 were more likely to access internet news sites (60%) and less likely to read newspapers (36%). Comments »
13
News Sources – Weekends
Q. And where do you get your news on an average weekend?
| Total | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | |
| Weekend newspaper | 50% | 51% | 56% | 43% |
| Commercial (free-to-air) TV news | 59% | 64% | 62% | 42% |
| ABC TV news | 28% | 29% | 30% | 29% |
| SBS TV news | 10% | 9% | 10% | 13% |
| Pay TV news | 9% | 9% | 10% | 3% |
| Commercial radio news | 17% | 15% | 22% | 10% |
| ABC radio news | 13% | 13% | 14% | 17% |
| Internet news sites – e.g. newspaper sites, ABC, etc | 42% | 41% | 43% | 42% |
| Internet blogs | 4% | 2% | 4% | 8% |
| None of them | 6% | 4% | 3% | 15% |
The most commonly used news sources on weekends are commercial TV news (59%), newspapers (50%) and internet news sites (42%). Respondents were more likely to read newspapers on weekends than weekdays (42% weekdays/50% weekends) but less likely to view commercial TV news (64%/59%) or internet news sites (55%/42%).
Respondents aged 55+ were more likely to use commercial TV news (65%), newspapers (61%), and ABC TV news (46%). Comments »
13
Trust in News Sources
Q. Please rate your level of trust in the news and information from each source.
|
|
Total always/usually trustworthy |
Always trustworthy |
Usually trustworthy |
Seldom trustworthy |
I do not trust it at all |
Don’t know |
| ABC TV news | 82% | 21% | 61% | 7% | 3% | 8% |
| SBS TV news | 78% | 19% | 59% | 8% | 2% | 12% |
| ABC radio news | 78% | 18% | 60% | 8% | 3% | 12% |
| Commercial (free-to-air) TV news | 69% | 5% | 64% | 20% | 6% | 5% |
| Internet news sites – e.g. newspaper sites, ABC, etc | 66% | 5% | 61% | 18% | 4% | 12% |
| Newspapers | 65% | 3% | 62% | 22% | 7% | 6% |
| Commercial radio news | 62% | 4% | 58% | 19% | 8% | 11% |
| Pay TV news | 48% | 4% | 44% | 14% | 6% | 32% |
| Internet blogs | 17% | 1% | 16% | 31% | 26% | 26% |
The most trusted news sources were ABC TV news (82%), ABC radio news (78%) and SBS TV news (78%).
The least trustworthy were internet blogs (57% seldom/no trust), newspapers (29%), commercial radio news (27%) and commercial TV news (26%).
Women were more likely than men to trust commercial TV news (75%/62%), newspapers (68%/63%) and commercial radio news (68%/55%). Comments »
Q. If a Federal Election was held today to which party will you probably give your first preference vote? If not sure, which party are you currently leaning toward?
Q. If don’t know -Well which party are you currently leaning to?
sample size = 1,896
| First preference/leaning to | 6 months ago | 4 weeks ago | 2 weeks ago | Last week | This week |
| Liberal | 38% | 42% | 42% | 41% | 42% |
| National | 3% | 4% | 3% | 3% | 3% |
| Total Lib/Nat | 40% | 46% | 45% | 44% | 45% |
| Labor | 37% | 39% | 38% | 38% | 38% |
| Greens | 12% | 8% | 10% | 11% | 11% |
| Other/Independent | 10% | 7% | 8% | 7% | 6% |
| 2PP | 6 months ago | 4 weeks ago | 2 weeks ago | Last week
|
This week |
| Total Lib/Nat | 48% | 51% | 51% | 51% | 51% |
| Labor | 52% | 49% | 49% | 49% | 49% |
NB. The data in the above tables comprise 2-week averages derived the first preference/leaning to voting questions. Respondents who select ‘don’t know’ are not included in the results. The two-party preferred estimate is calculated by distributing the votes of the other parties according to their preferences at the 2010 election.
6
Party Attributes
Q. Here is a list of things both favourable and unfavourable that have been said about Federal political parties. Which statements do you feel fit the Labor Party/Liberal Party/Greens?
| Labor | Liberal | Greens | |
| Keeps its promises | 10% | 13% | 9% |
| Has a good team of leaders | 16% | 23% | 12% |
| Moderate | 18% | 23% | 12% |
| Understands the problems facing Australia | 23% | 30% | 19% |
| Looks after the interests of working people | 22% | 17% | 8% |
| Too close to the big corporate and financial interests | 15% | 29% | 3% |
| Extreme | 6% | 13% | 39% |
| Out of touch with ordinary people | 38% | 37% | 31% |
| Divided | 30% | 20% | 10% |
| Will promise to do anything to win votes | 50% | 36% | 22% |
| Clear about what they stand for | 10% | 21% | 29% |
| Have a vision for the future | 20% | 23% | 23% |
Compared to the other two parties, Labor are thought more likely to promise to do anything to win votes (50%) and be divided (30%). Only 6% think they are extreme and 10% think they are clear about what they stand for. Key attributes among Labor voters are – understands the problems facing Australia (48%), looks after the interests of working people (44%) and have a vision for the future (41%).
The Liberal Party is more likely to understand the problems facing Australia (30%), be too close to the big corporate and financial interests (29%) and have a good team of leaders (23%). 21% think they are clear about what they stand for. Key attributes among Coalition voters are – understands the problems facing Australia (63%), has a good team of leaders (47%), have a vision for the future (46%) and clear about what they stand for (45%).
The Greens are more likely to bee seen as extreme (39%) and clear about what they stand for (29%). Key attributes among Greens voters are – understands the problems facing Australia (71%), clear about what they stand for (63%) and have a vision for the future (60%).
Q. Do you agree that there is fairly conclusive evidence that climate change is happening and caused by human activity or do you believe that the evidence is still not in and we may just be witnessing a normal fluctuation in the Earth’s climate which happens from time to time?ear
| Dec 10 | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | Nov 09 | ||
| Climate change is happening and is caused by human activity | 45% | 53% | 32% | 76% | 53% | |
| We are just witnessing a normal fluctuation in the Earth’s climate | 36% | 27% | 53% | 14% | 34% | |
| Don’t know | 19% | 20% | 15% | 10% | 13% |
45% believe that climate change is happening and is caused by human activity (down 8% since last surveyed in Nov 2009), 36% think we are just witnessing a normal fluctuation in the Earth’s climate (up 2%) and 19% don’t know (up 6%).
Those most likely to think climate change is happening and is caused by human activity were Greens voters (76%), Labor voters (53%), women (49%) and aged 18-35 (50%).
Those most likely to think it is a normal fluctuation in the Earth’s climate were Liberal/National voters (53%), aged 55+ (47%) and men (40%).
Essential Report
Two Party Preferred: 05 March 12
56+/- 0
Subscribe Now
Subscribe to receive the Essential Report
in your email each week
Search the Essential Report
Categories
Essential Tags
Comments
- Chhoun Taing on Australia’s Best Prime Minister
- A Smarter Way To Police Pokies | Charters Towers E-village on Pokies Legislation
- One more promise to break « essentialvision.com.au on Return to Surplus
- Green-baiting and the art of product differentiation « essentialvision.com.au on Opinion of NBN
- Green-baiting and the art of product differentiation « essentialvision.com.au on Importance of Climate Change Issue