Tasmanian voters still waiting for leadership

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New Tasmanian polling figures released today show little change in the level of support for the major political parties across the State, with voters seemingly waiting to see some leadership ahead of an election that is still over 18 months away.

The latest EMRS State Voting Intentions Poll (conducted from 3 – 6 August) sees Labor recording an increase of 4 percentage points since May 2012, largely due to a decrease in Independent support, while the Liberal and Green support remained steady.

EMRS Chief Operations Director Samuel Paske said the polls seemed to show a large portion of Tasmanians were still under-whelmed and waiting for a significant, positive move from either political party.

“The Labor (18 per cent), Liberal (38 per cent) and Green (17 per cent) votes have steadied over the last quarter with the undecided vote also remaining steady at 25 per cent,” Mr Paske said.

“The statistics seem to suggest a settling of preferences, with an undecided vote waiting to see what the major parties come up with in relation to significant policy announcements as we head into the second half of this Government’s term.”

In the preferred Premier stakes Mr Paske said it was again the Liberals that maintained strong support across the State.

“Will Hodgman continues to have the highest level of support as preferred Premier (45 per cent), with support for Premier Lara Giddings currently sitting at 22 per cent,” he said.

Download: EMRS_State_Voting_Intentions_August_2012_Report.pdf

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• TASMANIAN GAY AND LESBIAN RIGHTS GROUP

Media Release
Wednesday August 8th 2012

GAYS TO FIGHT ON FOR LIB FREE VOTE
POLL SHOWS LIB FREE VOTE COULD WIN OVER UP TO 30,000 TASMANIAN VOYERS
CROOME RULES OUT NAMING LIBS WHO SYMPATHISE WITH MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Tasmanian gay rights advocates say they have not given up hope of a Liberal Party conscience vote on marriage equality, highlighting polls which suggest as many as 30,000 non-Liberal voters would be more likely to vote Liberal if Will Hodgman reverses his opposition to a free vote.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said a national poll released yesterday by Galaxy research shows a net 20% of non-Liberal voters, or almost 30,000 Tasmanians, would be more likely to vote Liberal if the Party has a free vote on same-sex marriage.

“By denying a conscience vote Will Hodgman is hurting his own party’s chances at the next election, as well as those couples and families who deserve equal recognition”, Mr Croome said.

“Liberals should support marriage equality because it will strengthen relationships and families, boost the Tasmanian economy and swing more voters their way.”

Mr Croome has sought a meeting with the Liberal leader to discuss the results and says his group will launch a letter-writing campaign to convince the Liberals to change their minds.

“Our approach is to persuade and convince, not intimidate, which is why I do not intend to name those Liberals who I know are sympathetic to marriage equality.”

“When it comes to an issue of such importance to many Tasmanian families there is no room for point-scoring.”

The Galaxy Research poll found that 42% of those not intending to vote Liberal will be more likely to vote Liberal if it allows a conscience vote on marriage equality, compared to 22% who are less likely. This is the equivalent of 1.3 million non-Liberal voters nationally and 26,000 in Tasmania

The poll also found that 41% of Australians intending to vote Liberal will be more likely to vote for the Liberal, compared to 22% who would be less likely.

Mr Croome said the results are not surprising given a majority of Australians support marriage equality and that support is growing.