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Most Australians want government to regulate power prices – Guardian Essential poll Most Australians want government to regulate power prices – Guardian Essential poll
(30 days later)
Poll shows 81% support for more investment in renewables, as Labor remains ahead on a two-party preferred basis, at 54% to the Coalition’s 46%Poll shows 81% support for more investment in renewables, as Labor remains ahead on a two-party preferred basis, at 54% to the Coalition’s 46%
The Guardian Essential Report, 12 SeptemberThe Guardian Essential Report, 12 September
Katharine Murphy Political editorKatharine Murphy Political editor
Mon 11 Sep 2017 19.00 BSTMon 11 Sep 2017 19.00 BST
Last modified on Tue 12 Sep 2017 08.05 BST Last modified on Wed 14 Feb 2018 17.36 GMT
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A clear majority of Australian voters want governments to step in and regulate electricity and gas prices and also boost investment in renewable energy, according to the latest Guardian Essential poll.A clear majority of Australian voters want governments to step in and regulate electricity and gas prices and also boost investment in renewable energy, according to the latest Guardian Essential poll.
The latest poll of 1,826 voters found 86% support for the regulation of power prices and 81% support for more investment in renewable energy and storage.The latest poll of 1,826 voters found 86% support for the regulation of power prices and 81% support for more investment in renewable energy and storage.
Voters also approve of the government reserving more gas for onshore use and would support the cleanup of existing coal-fired power stations. Both ideas attracted 77% support.Voters also approve of the government reserving more gas for onshore use and would support the cleanup of existing coal-fired power stations. Both ideas attracted 77% support.
Less popular, but still with majority support, are measures forcing energy companies to help their customers use less power (65%), and bringing privatised coal generators back into public ownership (56%).Less popular, but still with majority support, are measures forcing energy companies to help their customers use less power (65%), and bringing privatised coal generators back into public ownership (56%).
The least popular options in a list of nine ideas were stopping coal-fired power stations from closing down (51%), building or subsidising new coal plants (48%) and allowing more onshore exploration of gas (48%).The least popular options in a list of nine ideas were stopping coal-fired power stations from closing down (51%), building or subsidising new coal plants (48%) and allowing more onshore exploration of gas (48%).
The findings follow a meeting late on Monday between the Turnbull government and the AGL chief, Andy Vesey, to discuss extending the life of the company’s ageing Liddell plant in New South Wales.The findings follow a meeting late on Monday between the Turnbull government and the AGL chief, Andy Vesey, to discuss extending the life of the company’s ageing Liddell plant in New South Wales.
The government has asked the company to take a proposal to its board to keep the plant operating for another five years, or sell to another operator.The government has asked the company to take a proposal to its board to keep the plant operating for another five years, or sell to another operator.
Additionally the company has agreed to work up a plan within the next 90 days to supply the electricity market with the same quantity of dispatchable power as Liddell after 2022 – when the plant is due to close.Additionally the company has agreed to work up a plan within the next 90 days to supply the electricity market with the same quantity of dispatchable power as Liddell after 2022 – when the plant is due to close.
With negotiations around Liddell in train, and the government yet to resolve whether or not to support the central recommendation of the Finkel review of the national electricity market – a new clean energy target – the energy policy debate in Canberra has again disintegrated into a partisan blame game.With negotiations around Liddell in train, and the government yet to resolve whether or not to support the central recommendation of the Finkel review of the national electricity market – a new clean energy target – the energy policy debate in Canberra has again disintegrated into a partisan blame game.
The Turnbull government has made a big public pitch to be the party of low power prices, but that message doesn’t seem to have any definitive cut-through politically.The Turnbull government has made a big public pitch to be the party of low power prices, but that message doesn’t seem to have any definitive cut-through politically.
Asked in the latest poll which political party would be most likely to deliver lower power prices, 19% of the sample said the Coalition, 28% said Labor, 35% said it would make no difference and 18% didn’t know.Asked in the latest poll which political party would be most likely to deliver lower power prices, 19% of the sample said the Coalition, 28% said Labor, 35% said it would make no difference and 18% didn’t know.
And despite the government’s frequent criticism of the level of market penetration by renewable energy, popular support for low-emissions technology remains strong.And despite the government’s frequent criticism of the level of market penetration by renewable energy, popular support for low-emissions technology remains strong.
Asked to compare renewables with fossil fuels, 73% of the sample said renewables were better for the environment (compared with 8% on fossil fuels), 40% said renewables were better for the economy (compared with 28% for fossil fuels), 34% said renewables were better for jobs (compared with 26% for fossil fuels).Asked to compare renewables with fossil fuels, 73% of the sample said renewables were better for the environment (compared with 8% on fossil fuels), 40% said renewables were better for the economy (compared with 28% for fossil fuels), 34% said renewables were better for jobs (compared with 26% for fossil fuels).
Renewables were also a winner on price in terms of public perception, with 41% saying renewables were better for their electricity costs, compared with 27% for fossil fuels.Renewables were also a winner on price in terms of public perception, with 41% saying renewables were better for their electricity costs, compared with 27% for fossil fuels.
These questions were posed previously in May 2015. Since that time, the main changes are an increase in the perception that renewables are better for the environment (from 69% to 73%) and a decline for renewables being better for electricity costs (from 47% to 41%).These questions were posed previously in May 2015. Since that time, the main changes are an increase in the perception that renewables are better for the environment (from 69% to 73%) and a decline for renewables being better for electricity costs (from 47% to 41%).
Men were more likely to believe that fossil fuels were better for the economy (36%), jobs (32%) and electricity costs (33%), and Coalition voters were also more likely to think fossil fuels are better for the economy (39%), jobs (37%) and electricity costs (35%).Men were more likely to believe that fossil fuels were better for the economy (36%), jobs (32%) and electricity costs (33%), and Coalition voters were also more likely to think fossil fuels are better for the economy (39%), jobs (37%) and electricity costs (35%).
The latest poll has the ALP in a clear election winning position over the Turnbull government, with the opposition ahead 54% to 46% on the two-party preferred measure. Last week, Labor was ahead 53% to 47%.The latest poll has the ALP in a clear election winning position over the Turnbull government, with the opposition ahead 54% to 46% on the two-party preferred measure. Last week, Labor was ahead 53% to 47%.
Despite Labor’s strong performance, voters are marking up the prime minister.Despite Labor’s strong performance, voters are marking up the prime minister.
Voters in the Guardian Essential sample have a higher regard for Malcolm Turnbull than they did a month ago, with 41% of the sample saying they approved of the prime minister’s performance (up from 38% in August). Disapproval remained steady on 46%.Voters in the Guardian Essential sample have a higher regard for Malcolm Turnbull than they did a month ago, with 41% of the sample saying they approved of the prime minister’s performance (up from 38% in August). Disapproval remained steady on 46%.
The September result gives the prime minister a change in his net approval rating from -8 to -5, which is Turnbull’s best net rating since October last year.The September result gives the prime minister a change in his net approval rating from -8 to -5, which is Turnbull’s best net rating since October last year.
Approval of the Labor leader, Bill Shorten, was up one point from August, on 36%, but the Labor leader’s disapproval rating was up five points to 47% (42% in August).Approval of the Labor leader, Bill Shorten, was up one point from August, on 36%, but the Labor leader’s disapproval rating was up five points to 47% (42% in August).
That result represents a change in Shorten’s net approval rating from -7 to -11.That result represents a change in Shorten’s net approval rating from -7 to -11.
Turnbull also retains a clear lead over Shorten as preferred prime minister, with 43% preferring him compared with 29% for Shorten. In August, the measure was Turnbull 41% to Shorten 27%.Turnbull also retains a clear lead over Shorten as preferred prime minister, with 43% preferring him compared with 29% for Shorten. In August, the measure was Turnbull 41% to Shorten 27%.
The results were split by party, with 79% of Coalition voters saying Turnbull would be a better prime minister, and 62% of Labor voters saying Shorten would.The results were split by party, with 79% of Coalition voters saying Turnbull would be a better prime minister, and 62% of Labor voters saying Shorten would.
Greens voters preferred Shorten (42%) to Turnbull (25%). Men prefer Turnbull to Shorten (47% to 30%), as do women (39% to 28%).Greens voters preferred Shorten (42%) to Turnbull (25%). Men prefer Turnbull to Shorten (47% to 30%), as do women (39% to 28%).
Essential pollEssential poll
The Guardian Essential ReportThe Guardian Essential Report
Australian politicsAustralian politics
Bill ShortenBill Shorten
EnergyEnergy
(Australia news)(Australia news)
Malcolm TurnbullMalcolm Turnbull
CoalitionCoalition
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