27
Childcare Rebate
Q. The Federal Government currently pays parents 50 per cent of money they spend on childcare via its childcare rebate. Which of the following policies would you support most?
| Total | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | Men | Women | Age
18-34 |
Aged
35-54 |
Aged 55+ | |
| Maintaining the child care rebate at current levels | 22% | 23% | 23% | 25% | 21% | 22% | 33% | 18% | 14% |
| Limiting the rebate to families earning less than $150,000 per annum | 42% | 46% | 41% | 44% | 42% | 42% | 38% | 42% | 47% |
| Scrapping the rebate and paying the money directly to child care providers to contain costs and improve services | 21% | 25% | 18% | 18% | 25% | 18% | 12% | 24% | 26% |
| Don’t know | 15% | 13% | 11% | 14% | 12% | 18% | 17% | 16% | 12% |
Only 22% favour maintaining the child care rebate at current levels – 42% think it should be means tested and 21% think it should be scrapped and the money paid directly to child care providers. There were no significant differences by voting intention.
Those aged 18-34 were more likely to support maintaining the rebate at current levels (33%) as were people earning over $1,600 pw (31%). Limiting the rebate to families earning less than $150,000 was supported by 55% of people earning $1,000-$1,600 pw.
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 =1,837
| First preference/leaning to | Election
21 Aug 10 |
4 weeks ago | 2 weeks ago | Last week | This week |
| Liberal | 43% | 43% | 43% | 43% | |
| National | 3% | 3% | 3% | 4% | |
| Total Lib/Nat | 43.6 | 46% | 46% | 47% | 47% |
| Labor | 38.0 | 37% | 35% | 35% | 35% |
| Greens | 11.8 | 10% | 11% | 11% | 10% |
| Other/Independent | 6.6 | 7% | 8% | 8% | 8% |
| 2PP | Election
21 Aug 10 |
4 weeks ago | 2 weeks ago | Last week | This week |
| Total Lib/Nat | 49.9% | 52% | 53% | 54% | 54% |
| Labor | 50.1% | 48% | 47% | 46% | 46% |
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.
Q. Here is a list of things both favourable and unfavourable that have been said about various political parties. Which statements do you feel fit the Labor Party?
| 6 Jul 09 | 14 Mar 10
|
27 April 11
|
% change | |
| Will promise to do anything to win votes | 57% | 63% | 72% | +9% |
| Divided | 30% | 36% | 66% | +30% |
| Out of touch with ordinary people | 44% | 48% | 61% | +13% |
| Moderate | 65% | 63% | 51% | -12% |
| Too close to the big corporate and financial interests | 46% | n.a. | ||
| Have a vision for the future | 43% | n.a. | ||
| Understands the problems facing Australia | 62% | 54% | 40% | -14% |
| Looks after the interests of working people | 39% | n.a. | ||
| Extreme | 25% | 26% | 38% | +12% |
| Has a good team of leaders | 60% | 52% | 34% | -18% |
| Clear about what they stand for | 28% | n.a. | ||
| Keeps its promises | 44% | 33% | 20% | -13% |
The Labor Party’s main attributes were – will promise anything to win votes (63%), divided (66%) and out of touch with ordinary people (61%).
Since these questions were last asked in March 2010, all of Labor’s positive attributes have declined and the negative attributes increased. Main changes since last March were divided (up 30% to 66%), has a good team of leaders (down 18% to 34%) and understands the problems facing Australia (down 14% to 40%).
Note that the 2PP voting intention for 14 March 2010 was 56%-44% to Labor compared to the current 46%-54%.
Q. And which statements do you feel fit the Liberal Party?
| 6 July 09 | 14 Mar 10
|
27 April 11 | % change | |
| Will promise to do anything to win votes | 67% | 72% | 65% | -7% |
| Too close to the big corporate and financial interests | 60% | n.a. | ||
| Moderate | 50% | 50% | 55% | +5% |
| Out of touch with ordinary people | 62% | 58% | 54% | -4% |
| Understands the problems facing Australia | 44% | 43% | 51% | +8% |
| Divided | 74% | 66% | 49% | -17% |
| Have a vision for the future | 48% | n.a. | ||
| Clear about what they stand for | 44% | n.a. | ||
| Has a good team of leaders | 29% | 31% | 40% | +9% |
| Looks after the interests of working people | 38% | n.a. | ||
| Extreme | 36% | 38% | 36% | -2% |
| Keeps its promises | 28% | 23% | 33% | +10% |
The Liberal Party’s main attributes were – will promise anything to win votes (65%), too close to the big corporate and financial interest (60%), moderate (55%) and out of touch with ordinary people (54%).
Since these questions were last asked in March 2010, most of the Liberal Party’s positive attributes have increased and the negative attributes decreased. Main changes since last March were – divided (down 17% to 49%), keeps its promises (up 10% to 33%) and has a good team of leaders (up 9% to 40%).
27
Attributes of the Greens
Q. And which statements do you feel fit the Greens?
| Extreme | 61% |
| Out of touch with ordinary people | 60% |
| Will promise to do anything to win votes | 52% |
| Clear about what they stand for | 51% |
| Have a vision for the future | 49% |
| Understands the problems facing Australia | 36% |
| Divided | 35% |
| Looks after the interests of working people | 31% |
| Keeps its promises | 31% |
| Has a good team of leaders | 29% |
| Moderate | 28% |
| Too close to the big corporate and financial interests | 22% |
The Greens’ main attributes were – extreme (61%), out of touch with ordinary people (60%), will promise to do anything to win votes (52%) and clear about what they stand for (51%). Compared to the major parties, the Greens were rated more highly for being clear about what they stand for and having a vision for the future.
| Labor | Liberal
|
% difference | |
| Divided | 66% | 49% | +17% |
| Will promise to do anything to win votes | 72% | 65% | +7% |
| Out of touch with ordinary people | 61% | 54% | +7% |
| Extreme | 38% | 36% | +2% |
| Looks after the interests of working people | 39% | 38% | +1% |
| Moderate | 51% | 55% | -4% |
| Have a vision for the future | 43% | 48% | -5% |
| Has a good team of leaders | 34% | 40% | -6% |
| Understands the problems facing Australia | 40% | 51% | -11% |
| Keeps its promises | 20% | 33% | -13% |
| Too close to the big corporate and financial interests | 46% | 60% | -14% |
| Clear about what they stand for | 28% | 44% | -16% |
When these questions were last asked in March 2010, the Labor Party had significant leads over the Liberal Party on all positive attributes.
For this survey, the only attribute on which there is any significant advantage for the Labor Party is “too close to the big corporate and financial interests” (Labor 46%/Liberals 60%).
The Liberal Party is seen more favourably in terms of being divided, clear about what they stand for, keeps it promises and understands the problems facing Australia.
27
Careers
Q. Which of the following occupations do you think provide good careers for young people?
| Yes | No | Don’t know | |
| Trades | 88% | 6% | 6% |
| Computing and information technology | 86% | 6% | 7% |
| Nursing | 78% | 15% | 7% |
| Teaching | 75% | 17% | 8% |
| Tourism and hospitality | 72% | 19% | 9% |
| Police | 71% | 20% | 9% |
| Defence forces | 71% | 20% | 9% |
| Banking and finance | 70% | 19% | 10% |
| Retail | 54% | 36% | 10% |
The most favoured occupations for providing good careers were thought to be trades (88%), computing and IT (86%) and nursing (78%).
All occupations tested scored at least 70% except for retail at 54%.
Younger respondents (aged 18-35) tended to have a similar order of preference to the general population – their most favoured occupations were trades (78%), computing and IT (76%), teaching (68%) and nursing (67%).
27
Regulation of Gambling
Q. For each of the following forms of gambling, which do you think need more or less regulation?
| Needs more regulation | Needs less regulation | Current regulation is about right | Don’t know | |
| Online gambling in general | 68% | 4% | 16% | 12% |
| Poker machines | 62% | 5% | 24% | 9% |
| Casinos | 53% | 4% | 32% | 11% |
| Betting on sport e.g. football, cricket | 46% | 4% | 36% | 14% |
| Betting on horse racing | 37% | 4% | 47% | 13% |
| Lotto | 20% | 4% | 65% | 11% |
About two thirds of respondents think there should be more regulation of online gambling (68%) and poker machines (62%). 53% think that casinos need more regulation.
Differences by voting intention were –
- Liberal/National voters were less likely to favour more regulation of casinos (47%) and poker machines (55%)
- More regulation of poker machines was more strongly favoured by Greens (74%) and Labor (65%) voters.
18
Opinion of Gambling Reforms
Q. The Federal Government has proposed gambling reforms which include “pre-commitment” technology that will require pokie players to have a card registered to their name and pre-programmed to prevent them losing more than a set amount in a 24-hour period. Do you support or oppose this measure? (Question commissioned by Network Ten)
| Total | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | Men | Women | Age
18-34 |
Aged
35-54 |
Aged 55+ | |
| Total support | 65% | 76% | 62% | 75% | 66% | 65% | 69% | 66% | 60% |
| Total oppose | 21% | 16% | 28% | 16% | 23% | 19% | 12% | 21% | 32% |
| Strongly support | 32% | 42% | 26% | 42% | 31% | 33% | 32% | 34% | 28% |
| Support | 33% | 34% | 36% | 33% | 35% | 32% | 37% | 32% | 32% |
| Oppose | 12% | 10% | 15% | 11% | 11% | 13% | 8% | 11% | 18% |
| Strongly oppose | 9% | 6% | 13% | 5% | 12% | 6% | 4% | 10% | 14% |
| Don’t know | 13% | 8% | 10% | 8% | 11% | 16% | 18% | 13% | 9% |
Two thirds (65%) of respondents support The Federal Government’s proposed gambling reforms which include “pre-commitment” ” technology that will require pokie players to have a card registered to their name and pre-programmed to prevent them losing more than a set amount in a 24-hour period and 21% oppose.
Support is consistently above 60% across all voter and demographic groups. The highest support is from Labor voters (76%), Greens voters (75%) and those aged under 35 (69%). By income, support ranges from 61% for those on $600-$1,000 pw to 70% for those earning $1,600+ pw.
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 =1,908
| First preference/leaning to | Election
21 Aug 10 |
4 weeks ago | 2 weeks ago | Last week | This week |
| Liberal | 44% | 43% | 43% | 43% | |
| National | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% | |
| Total Lib/Nat | 43.6 | 46% | 46% | 46% | 47% |
| Labor | 38.0 | 36% | 36% | 35% | 35% |
| Greens | 11.8 | 10% | 10% | 11% | 11% |
| Other/Independent | 6.6 | 8% | 8% | 8% | 8% |
| 2PP | Election
21 Aug 10 |
4 weeks ago | 2 weeks ago | Last week | This week |
| Total Lib/Nat | 49.9% | 53% | 53% | 53% | 54% |
| Labor | 50.1% | 47% | 47% | 47% | 46% |
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.
18
Peace in the Middle East
Q. What, in your view, is the single biggest obstacle to peace in the Middle East?
| Total | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | |
| Unwillingness of Israelis/ Palestinians to compromise | 33% | 38% | 31% | 37% |
| The Israeli (housing) settlements in areas which Palestinians claim for an independent Palestine | 6% | 6% | 7% | 14% |
| Israel’s oppression of Palestinians | 8% | 8% | 8% | 15% |
| Palestinian terror attacks on Israelis | 5% | 3% | 7% | 5% |
| Infighting between the various Palestinian organisations (e.g. Hamas and Fatah) | 6% | 5% | 7% | 4% |
| Inaction by the United Nations | 3% | 4% | 3% | 2% |
| Opposition to Israel from other Middle Eastern countries | 8% | 7% | 9% | - |
| Don’t know | 31% | 29% | 28% | 23% |
One third (33%) of respondents think that the unwillingness of Israelis and Palestinians to compromise is the single biggest obstacle to peace in the Middle East and a further one third (31%) do not know. The remaining 36% selected a range of reasons including Israel’s oppression of Palestinians (8%) and opposition to Israel from other Middle Eastern countries (8%).
There were few substantial differences across voter groups.
Essential Report
Two Party Preferred: 20 Feb 2012
551
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