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Support for the Bracks Government fell slightly in June to its lowest level in 2003, down 1.5% to 48%. Support for the Liberal Party rose 1.5% to 35.5%. Despite the Victorian ALP's slight fall in support, it would have won an election held in June by about the same margin as it did at the 2002 State Election, the latest Morgan Poll finds.

Among the minor parties, support for the National Party was 2.5% (down 0.5%), the Greens 8% (up 1%), the Australian Democrats 2% (unchanged) and Other Parties and Independent Candidates 4% (down 0.5%).

On a two-party preferred basis, the ALP was down 1% to 57.5% while support for the Liberal Party was up 1% to 42.5%.

• Victorian Premier Steve Bracks and Treasurer John Brumby led the Victorian delegation to BIO2003 in the USA, one of the world's most important biotechnology conferences. The aim of the delegation was to promote new investment, foster innovation and develop strategic partnerships. The Victorian Government is pushing for the State to be among the top five biotechnology locations in the world by 2010. As part of the US trip, Mr Bracks also met with water authorities and sustainability experts to discuss the latest innovations in water management.

• The State Opposition claimed that Victorian taxpayers face a bill of more than $200 million and liability for ongoing costs after a failure to attract private investments for the high-tech synchotron (a machine producing beams of light, used by science and industry). A spokesman for the Premier said that he did not expect taxpayers would have to pay for any ongoing costs. However, Tony Cutcliffe, director of the Eureka Project, a private technology think thank, backed up Opposition claims that the synchotron would be prohibitively expensive for the scientific community to use without Government subsidies.

• The Victorian Independent Education Union stated that because State funding to Victorian Catholic schools was below the national average, class sizes in these schools were growing to an unmanageable level. The Australian Education Union stated that the State's main funding priority should remain with public schools.

• The State Government announced plans to reform Victoria's child protection laws to provide greater stability for children removed from their families. An Advocate within the Department of Human Services would also be established. The Children's Welfare Association of Victoria said the Advocate position would lack necessary independence from the Government. Victoria's Children and Young Person's Act has been accused of protecting the rights of abusive parents at the expense of children.

Special Roy Morgan Qualitative Research in which respondents gave their reason for voting was conducted on June 14-15, 2003. Typical reasons for voting ALP included "The Labor Party is more socially responsible", "Health and education policies" and "The Labor Party is the only party that looks after social issues." Some praised Steve Bracks’ leadership, with comments including "I think the Victorian Premier is the better man to lead the state", "He seems to be more with the people. Just takes more interest" and "I think Labor has much stronger leadership". Some elaborated on both of these themes: "Bracks, he’s a good leader, he has good policies and he’s more progressive- he’s just not mainstream," said one respondent.

Some ALP supporters commented on the lack of policies and leadership in the Opposition: "No idea who the Opposition Leader is or what their policies are," said one. Overall, Labor supporters felt that the Liberal Party lacked direction and leadership. As one respondent succinctly commented: "With Labor you get a better deal."

Respondents who supported the Liberal Party typically made comments such as "I don’t trust Labor with the unions", "Labor Party’s not good for small businesses" and "I’m not happy with the management of the economy and the indecisiveness of the current Government."

There was continuing concern amongst Liberal Party supporters that the ALP has not keep its election promises, with one Liberal supporter commenting: "The current Government has not kept its promises - reneging on the Eastern Freeway." Yet the main concern for Liberal supporters with the current Government was its ability to manage the State’s finances. Responses included: "The Liberals look after the budget and the economy better", "Liberals are more able to manage finances, "The Liberals are more responsible with budgets" and "Steve Bracks is spending all our money. Labor are not good money managers".

This latest Morgan Poll on Victorian State Voting Intention was conducted face-to-face among 1,195 electors throughout Victoria on the weekends of June 2003. Electors were asked: "If a State election were being held today — which Party would receive your first preference?"

Of all electors surveyed, 4% (down 2.5%) did not name a party.

VICTORIAN STATE VOTING INTENTION SUMMARY (%)

# Results from sample sizes under 50 should be treated with caution.

Sample: 1,195 electors interviewed face-to-face on the weekends of June 2003.

4% (down 2.5%) did not name a party.

Finding No. 3647 is taken from Computer Report No. 1889

The Morgan Poll is conducted by the
ONLY Australian or New Zealand member of the Gallup International Association.
No other public opinion poll taken in Australia or New Zealand
has this qualification.

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