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The majority of Australians (54%, down 2% since the $7.85 unconditional BHP Billiton offer) are still against a takeover of Australian-owned mining company WMC Resources, according to the latest special telephone Morgan Poll on the issue.

Gary Morgan says:

“While support for a BHP Billiton takeover of WMC has increased since the unconditional offer (36% up 6% now agreeing the takeover should be allowed) and BHP Billiton has received a more favourable response from the Australian population than either Xstrata (15% ) or Rio Tinto (21%) a clear majority of Australians are against the takeover.

“ALP supporters are clearly against the BHP Billiton takeover of WMC (60% say it should not be allowed, 33% say it should be allowed and 7% can’t say). However, even among L-NP supporters more say it should not be allowed (48%) than allowed (40%), with 12% undecided.

“The next Morgan Poll will explore the reasons why the Australian people are concerned about the takeover, including the strength of feeling about an Australian company being taken over by a foreign company, the sensitivities associated with WMC’s uranium mining operations and any other issues that emerge from the qualitative research.”

WMC Resources is the operator of the world’s largest known uranium source, Olympic Dam, located in South Australia.

With three uranium mines already operating and another cleared for construction, most Australians (61%, up 2% since mid-February) believe Australia should develop and export uranium for peaceful purposes, while 32% (unchanged) think Australia should not develop and export uranium (7% undecided). This question has received majority support from Australians since 1977 when it was first asked by the Morgan Poll, but the proportion of Australians disagreeing remains at about the same level, now at 32%, 2% less than the peak of 34% in 1996.

When asked whether they agreed or disagreed with mining Australia’s uranium deposits, 60% (up 2%) of Australians agree, 30% (down 1% from mid-February and down 2% from a peak of 33% in 1996) disagreed and 10% were undecided.

This special telephone Morgan Poll was conducted on the evenings of March16/17, 2005, with 670 respondents aged 14 and over Australia-wide.

The following tables show Australians’ attitudes towards mining Australian uranium since 1977.

The complete analysis of results by demographics and regions is available on subscription.

Should Australia Develop and Export Uranium?

Respondents were first asked: “Next about developing and exporting uranium for peaceful purposes. Do you think Australia should or should not develop and export uranium for peaceful purposes?”

#Sample sizes less than 50 should be treated with caution.
*Includes all respondents who were undecided on voting intention, plus those ineligible to vote and those aged 14-17.

Support for developing and exporting uranium was highest among L-NP supporters - 72% (up 1% since mid-February) of L-NP supporters think Australia should develop and export uranium, 18% (down 5%) think Australia should not and 10% couldn’t say.

Among ALP supporters, 55% (up 6%) think Australia should develop and export uranium, 40% (unchanged) think Australia should not and 5% couldn’t say.

Support for uranium development and export among Australian Democrat supporters has risen 25% to 52% since mid-February. 41% (down 25%) of Australian Democrat supporters think Australia should not develop and export uranium, and 7% were undecided. Forty nine percent (up 20%) of Greens’ supporters think Australia should, and 49% (down 14%) think Australia should not develop and export uranium (2% undecided). Among Other Party and Independent supporters, 58% (down 7%) think Australia should, 38% (up 8%) think Australia shouldn’t develop and export uranium and 4% were undecided.

Should Australia’s Uranium be Mined?

Respondents were then asked: “As you probably know, some of Australia’s uranium deposits are now being mined. Do you agree - or disagree - with mining Australia’s uranium?”

“As you probably know, some of Australia’s uranium deposits are now being mined. Do you agree - or disagree - with mining Australia’s uranium?”

#Sample sizes less than 50 should be treated with caution.
*Includes all respondents who were undecided on voting intention, plus those ineligible to vote and those aged 14-17.

Analysis by voting intention shows that the majority of L-NP supporters (74%, up 6% since mid-February), and 53% (up 6%) of ALP supporters agree with mining Australia’s uranium. Of Australian Democrats supporters, 60% (up 12%) agree with mining Australia’s uranium, while 33% (down 12%) disagree and 7% were undecided. Greens supporters were least likely to agree with mining Australia’s uranium. Only 40% agreed, while 52% disagreed and 8% were undecided. Among Other Party and Independent supporters, 48% agreed and 39% disagreed.

Should Australian-owned WMC be subject to a takeover?

Respondents were then told: “The world’s largest known uranium source, Olympic Dam, is located in South Australia. It is now operated by Australian-owned mining company WMC Resources.

BHP Billiton, which has a significant overseas ownership, has made a takeover offer of $7.85 a share. The Board of WMC Resources has recommended its shareholders accept the offer.”

BHP Billiton

Respondents were then asked: “In your opinion should BHP Billiton be allowed to takeover WMC Resources, or not?”

Taken after BHP Billiton offered WMC Resources shareholders a bid of $7.85 per share, this special Morgan Poll showed the majority of Australians (54%) said BHP Billiton should not be allowed to takeover WMC Resources.

However, BHP Billiton got the highest response from Australians as a company that should be allowed to takeover WMC Resources. Now, 36% of people think BHP Billiton should be able to takeover WMC Resources — up 6% from 30% in mid-February before BHPB made the share offer.

#Sample sizes less than 50 should be treated with caution.
*Includes all respondents who were undecided on voting intention, plus those ineligible to vote and those aged 14-17.

Xstrata

Respondents were then told: “Swiss-based mining company Xstrata has made a hostile takeover bid for WMC Resources.”

Respondents were then asked: “In your opinion should Xstrata be allowed to takeover WMC Resources, or not?”

A large majority were against a takeover of WMC Resources by Xstrata, (76%, down 5% from 81% in mid-February, compared with 68% who were against a takeover of WMC Resources by Rio Tinto (up 8% from 60%).

#Sample sizes less than 50 should be treated with caution.
*Includes all respondents who were undecided on voting intention, plus those ineligible to vote and those aged 14-17.

Rio Tinto

Respondents were then told: “ Rio Tinto, also with significant overseas ownership, is another company who could takeover WMC Resources.”

Respondents were then asked: “In your opinion should Rio Tinto be allowed to takeover WMC Resources, or not?”

Twenty one percent (down 3% from 24%) of Australians said Rio Tinto should be allowed to takeover WMC Resources (11% undecided), while only 15% (up 5% from 10%) said Xstrata should be able to takeover WMC Resources (9% undecided).

#Sample sizes less than 50 should be treated with caution.
*Includes all respondents who were undecided on voting intention, plus those ineligible to vote and those aged 14-17.

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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