Media release – EMRS, 9 March 2022
Tasmanians Respond to The Opening of Borders
The latest EMRS poll in March 2022 is the first since the Liberal State Government significantly eased COVID-19 restrictions and opened Tasmania’s borders to allow general travel to the state. Whilst by no means conclusive, this poll shows a notable decline in support for the Government since the last poll in December 2021, prior to the border opening.
After excluding undecided voters, support for the Liberal State Government stands at 41 per cent in March 2022, down by 8 percentage points from 49 per cent recorded in December 2021. Labor support currently stands at 31 per cent, up by 5 points from 26 per cent in December. It should be noted that, on these figures, the Government is still maintaining a clear lead over the Labor opposition.
The latest poll of 1,000 Tasmanian adults was conducted from the 28th of February to the 1st of March 2022.
Paul Jamrozik (EMRS’ Managing Director) said, “These latest results confirm what we have felt throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Tasmanian voters have been particularly sensitive to the Liberal State Government’s decisions to protect Tasmanians and be responsive to Tasmania’s unique island status. EMRS believes that the move to open the borders has been a key test of the latest Government decisions.”
The current 41 per cent in voter support for the Liberal Government is a 10 point lead over Labor. Decided voter support for The Greens showed virtually no change, just 1 point down since the previous poll, standing at 12 per cent currently. A slight upward shift was recorded in support for an independent or other minor party, from 12 per cent in December to 16 per cent currently.
The proportion of voters nominating Premier Gutwein as their preferred Premier in the latest poll stood at 52 per cent, down from 59 per cent in the December poll.
“Yes, it is down” said Mr Jamrozik, “but it is still significantly higher, by 19 percentage points, than the 33 per cent recorded for Rebecca White.”
“EMRS suggests that now, in the coming months, there will other issues, beyond COVID, that Tasmanians will be responding to.”
