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Major spending initiatives of the federal government

2 Oct 2012

Q. The federal government has recently announced a number of major spending initiatives on health, education and defence reforms that will involve substantial investment over the next few years.  For each of the reforms as they are described below, please indicate whether you believe it should be implemented or not

 

Implement the reform if it means higher taxes (including corporate and mining taxes) and cuts in other areas

Do not implement the reform if it means higher taxes (including corporate and mining taxes) or cuts in other areas

No opinion

National Disability Insurance Scheme to improve care and support for all people in Australia with a significant and permanent disability

58%

22%

20%

New dental health scheme to provide free dental care for low-income patients and children

53%

29%

18%

Gonski reforms to education to increase funding for each primary and secondary school student across the country

48%

30%

21%

Purchase of new advanced submarines for the Australian Defence Force

24%

50%

26%

The majority of respondents support implementing the NDIS (58%) and the new dental health scheme (53%) if it means higher taxes (including corporate and mining taxes) and cuts in other areas.

A large portion of respondents (48%) also agree with implementing the Gonski reforms if it means higher taxes and cuts in other areas, whereas 30% would prefer to see these reforms not implemented.

On the purchase of new submarines for the ADF, most respondents felt that this reform should not be implemented if it means higher taxes and cuts in other areas (50%), whilst 24% are in favour of implementing the reform.

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