As opinion polls suggest the Miles Labor Government is closing the gap on the Liberal National Opposition ahead of this Saturday's state election, new research from The Australia Institute reveals most Queenslanders support cost of living, environmental and reproductive rights policies.
The research follows existing Australia Institute polling research which finds most Australians support proven but politically controversial policies from the Australian Capital Territory.
Key Findings:
- Most Queenslanders support each of the 12 Queensland Labor policies presented to them.
- The net effect of each of the 12 policies is to make Queenslanders more likely to vote for the Labor Government.
- Cost of living policies are the most popular among the policies presented to Queenslanders.
- Limiting petrol station price increases to 5 cents a litre per day and banning petrol stations raising prices more than once a day is the most popular policy, with almost six in seven (84%) Queenslanders supporting it.
- Four in five Queenslanders (81%) support lowering public transport fares to a flat rate of $0.50 per trip.
- Four in five (80%) support more funding for school food programs.
- Abortion and reproduction policies receive support from three in five Queenslanders:
- 63% support funding for abortion services and pregnancy termination care.
- Three in four Queenslanders (73%) support purchasing private motels, hotels and former retirement villages to provide emergency housing.
- Three in five Queenslanders (61%) support higher and progressive coal royalties.
"Queenslanders are more progressive than commentators give them credit for, with a majority supporting each of twelve policies implemented or proposed by Queensland Premier Steven Miles and the Labor Government," said Richard Denniss, Executive Director of The Australia Institute.
"The most popular policies among Queenslanders are those addressing cost of living, including limiting petrol station price increases, electricity bill rebates, public transport fares of 50 cents and more funding for school food programs.
"Abortion and reproductive rights policies are consistently supported by three in five Queenslanders, more than twice as many as oppose them.
"The message for other state and territory governments is that ambitious and clear policies are popular with the electorate and are a political advantage."
Figure: Support for Queensland Labor Government's policies
