THE National Broadband Network is the biggest single issue to voters in the bellwether seat of Eden-Monaro, a Special Multi-Mode Morgan Poll shows.
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Sixteen per cent of Eden-Monaro voters named the roll-out of the NBN as the most personally beneficial thing the next Federal Government could do, ahead of issues including changing taxation rates and benefits (12 per cent), improving governmental integrity and accountability (10 per cent), reducing power costs (6 per cent), improving hospitals and health services (5 per cent), increasing the aged pension (5 per cent) and the environment (3 per cent).
Overall, 40 per cent of respondents cited an economic or financial concern, and 22 per cent a social issue including either an increase or decrease in welfare payments.
The continued roll-out of the NBN is one of incumbent Labor MP Mike Kelly’s platform campaign issues, with Liberal challenger Peter Hendy focused on reiterating his party’s national agenda to ‘scrap the carbon tax’ and ‘stop the boats’ (each a top issue for around 2 per cent of electors).
Neither candidate is expected to have a first-count majority on September 7, with preferences from the Palmer United Party candidate, Cooma-Monaro Mayor Dean Lynch, and Greens candidate Catherine Moore likely to decide the winner.
Michele Levine, CEO, Roy Morgan Research, says:
“This election, voters in the bellwether seat of Eden-Monaro are not being asked to judge which candidate is better on each issue, but rather which issues themselves are important. Candidates are running on different issues, each important to a different set of voters.
“Those most benefited by the NBN will vote Labor, and those who believe reducing taxes, power bills or the number of asylum seekers arriving by boat is most personally beneficial will vote Liberal.
“It remains to be seen who will vote—and why—for local independent mayor and Palmer United Party candidate Dean Lynch.”
This data was collected by Roy Morgan Research via an Online and SMS poll of 119 electors in Eden-Monaro from August 12 to 14. Respondents were asked, ‘Regardless of which party wins the election on September 7, what could the Federal Government do that would MOST benefit you and your family?’
