Poll shows low concern for the environment this election

The latest ANUpoll, conducted by the Australian National University (ANU) and answered by 1200 people, revealed that public concern about the economy and job security has doubled since 2010, while concern about the environment and global warming has halved.

More than half of the people surveyed listed the economy and jobs as the most important or second-most important issue facing Australia today, followed by immigration and asylum seekers at 28%.

Meanwhile, 5.6% of respondents cited the environment or global warming as the most important issue (10.5% including second-most important) - down from around 12% in 2010. The carbon tax was mentioned by only 1.3% of people in total and water management by 0.6%.

“The poll results suggest that the management of the economy will be centre stage in the federal election campaign,” said Professor Ian McAllister from the ANU School of Research School of Politics and International Relations.

“By contrast, the environment and climate change are seen by voters as a much lesser concern than previously, and there has been a dramatic decline in those mentioning the carbon tax as an important issue. The declining importance of these issues has implications for The Australian Greens party support.”

In addition, the poll asked people about their opinions on compulsory voting, frequency of elections, the funding of political parties and their overall satisfaction with Australian politics.

“The poll shows that voters are broadly satisfied with their electoral arrangements, with the exception of the private funding of political parties, which remains unpopular,” Professor McAllister said.

The poll also questioned people on gender issues in Parliament. Almost nine out of 10 people said they thought women and men would do an equally good job as MPs, while 4.8% claim women would do an even better job. About 50% of respondents thought there should be more Aboriginal and female MPs.

The survey results can be viewed here.