health care is the top election issue

Morgan Poll finding;
Increased spending on Health (27%) is clearly the most important thing that the Federal Government could do that would most benefit electors and their families.

This is a marked change from the issue that has dominated voters’ thoughts heading into previous elections. Taxation (14%) is at its lowest recorded level, down from 32% in May 2004, and 30% in October 2001 heading into the November 2001 Election. Health, up 15% from May 2007, has increased markedly in the minds of electors to be at its highest level yet.

Of other issues, Education, HELP fees (16%, up 7% since May 2007), and Social welfare and the Aged (12%, up 1%) are important issues amongst the most often mentioned with regards to helping electors and their families. Concern about Interest rates (7%, up 5%) has also become a more important issue for electors following six consecutive interest rate rises since the last election in 2004. Concern for the Environment, (5%, down 2%) was slightly softer as the date of the Federal Election nears.

Looking at all States, electors in NSW (30%), Victoria (28%), Queensland (25%) and Tasmania (40%) are most likely to mention Health issues as the most important thing the Federal Government could do to their benefit, while in SA (23%), the most mentioned benefit was Improving/Increasing pensions/Looking after pensioners (24%) and in WA only 15% mentioned Health compared with 21% that mentioned Taxation as the most important thing for the Federal Government to look at.

Victorian (19%), Queensland (18%) and Tasmanian (18%) electors also rated Education, HELP fees as an issue that would be of more benefit than changes to Taxation. Other important issues the Federal Government could look at to benefit electors on a state by state basis are Housing affordability in Queensland (10%), Water supply/Management in South Australia (10%), Improving/Increasing pensions/Looking after pensioners in Victoria (10%) and NSW (9%) and Interest rates in SA (12%) and WA (11%).


Gary Morgan says

“The regular Tax cuts provided each year by the Coalition Government have had a significant positive effect on the electorate. Today electors are not calling for increased Tax cuts — but instead are clamouring for increased investment and funding for Health care throughout Australia.

Health is a traditional Labor stronghold. Convincing the Australian electorate of the Coalition’s commitment to increased Health care funding and investment is a tough ask John Howard as he attempts to claw back the deficit he faces in the polls over the coming 10 days heading into the Election�

These are the main findings of a Morgan Poll of 820 electors conducted face to face throughout Australia on October 27-28, 2007.

Dave R.