Economy
Greens the only movers as Labor and Liberal vote stagnates
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New polling figures released today reveal the primary votes for the Australian Labor Party and the Greens are on level footing (both at 17 per cent) across the State, with the Liberal Party primary vote at 38 per cent.
However, it is the undecided vote of 25 per cent that will be a major concern to all parties.
The latest EMRS State Voting Intentions Poll shows little overall change in the primary vote since the last poll was conducted in February, although the Greens are the minor winners with a three per cent jump in popularity, putting them level with the Labor Party at 17 per cent.
EMRS Chief Operations Director Samuel Paske said, while the polls remained fairly steady the Greens were the main party to see improvements.
“After excluding the undecided voters, the highest level of support remains with the Liberal Party (49 per cent), however it is the Greens’ support that has increased significantly since the last quarter (23 per cent compared to 18 per cent in February 2012),” Mr Paske said.
“Support for the Labor Party has fallen by four per cent since February this year, but has only seen a minor decrease when compared to the May 2011 figures.
“Support for the Liberal Party has declined by three per cent since February 2012, but when compared to the May 2011 results, there has been an increase of one per cent since this time last year.
“Will Hodgman continues to have the highest level of support as preferred Premier, with 43 per cent of all respondents nominating him as their preference. Support for Premier Lara Giddings is at 21 per cent, a decrease of three per cent from the February 2012 results, while support for Nick McKim as Premier now stands at 17 per cent, having increased by two per cent since February 2012.”
“Similar to recent polls, 19 per cent of respondents preferred to nominate none of the three possible leaders, instead opting for ‘someone else’.”
Download:
State_Voting_Intentions_May_2012_Report.pdf
• Mary Massina: What will it really take to make Tasmania work?
With the looming State Budget, the Tasmanian property industry is calling for reform of the State’s planning system, water and sewerage corporations, local government and property taxes to make Tasmania work.
Tasmanian Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia, Mary Massina, said as the biggest private sector employer in the State, it is important that there is consideration about the needs of the property industry.
“The property industry wants to see the removal of all barriers to investment and a commitment to fundamental and meaningful reform in Tasmania, including a war on red and green tape,” Ms Massina said.
“There is little acknowledgement of the economic impact of increased red and green tape on our industry, which is combined with token lip service to the vital micro reforms that are required to ensure sustainability of the State’s biggest private sector industry.
“In tough times the Government must pull out every stop to ensure all barriers to investment in Tasmania are removed.”
Ms Massina said members of Tasmanian property industry would get their own opportunity to voice and debate the reform measures at the upcoming Make Tasmania Work Conference.
“The Conference will address some of the tough issues the State is facing and delve into what it is really going to take to make Tasmania work,” she said.
“Revealing insights into property developments across Tasmania, success in tough economic times, and one of the largest micro-economic reforms the State has ever seen, are just some of the topics on offer.
“Of particular interest to registrants will be the opportunity to hear from state and national investors about their views of the Tasmanian economy and the property market, including the good, the bad, and the ugly.
“Conference speakers will include Peter Verwer (CEO Property Council of Australia), Bernard Sherlock (NAB), Grant O’Brien (CEO Woolworths), as well as the Chairman of the Tasmanian Water Corporation Miles Hampton and Royal Hobart Hospital Redevelopment Project Director Peter Alexander.”
The Make Tasmania Conference runs from Thursday, 31 May – Friday, 1 June and will be held in the Tasman Room at the Wrest Point Conference Centre. To register, visit www.propertyoz.com.au, or email tasevents@propertyoz.com.au.
• EMRS POLL RESPONSE: GREENS CONTINUE TO DELIVER
Nick McKim MP
Greens Leader
Tuesday, 15 May 2012
The Tasmanian Greens today said the party’s rise in support in the latest EMRS state voting intentions poll reflected a growing awareness of the Greens’ constructive role in Tasmanian politics.
Greens Leader Nick McKim MP said that he placed no real emphasis on the result of any political opinion polls, regardless of the result.
“The Greens have stepped up to the plate to ensure Green policy outcomes, stable Government and to help put the state back on an even financial keel,” said Mr McKim.
“People are sick and tired of politicians in constant conflict, and the Greens hope that Tasmanians are starting to see that we are playing a genuinely constructive role in Parliament and in government.”
“Voters can now see a distinct record of Greens policy wins being delivered as a result of the Greens’ role in the power-sharing Parliament.”