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Opinions Unchanged After Massive Publicity and Debate On Industrial Relations Reforms - Only 10% Say They'll Be Better Off
The majority of Australians (80%) have heard about the Federal Government’s proposed Industrial Relations reforms, up only 1% since July, despite the continued massive publicity surrounding the proposed changes. Twenty percent of Australians say they have not heard about them, according to a special telephone Morgan Poll, conducted late last week and nearly two weeks after John Howard’s launch. N early half (49%) of Australians disagree with the proposed Industrial Relations reforms, only 17% saying they agree, and 14% unable to say. The survey was conducted to assess whether public opinion had changed since the previous Morgan Poll was conducted in July. Only 10% of Australians (unchanged since July, 2005) believe they and their families will be better off under the proposed Industrial Relations reforms, whilst 39% think they will not be better off and 31% are unsure (20% had not heard of the proposed reforms). Union members were more likely than Non-Union members to disagree with the proposed Industrial Relations reforms (63% cf 47%) and less likely to believe that the Industrial Relations proposals would be a good thing for Australia (19% cf 31%). Gary Morgan says: “Despite the mass of publicity, debate, and advertising by the Federal Government and the Unions, the opinions of Australians have barely changed since the last Morgan Poll on the Industrial Relations reforms in July of this year. In fact, a slightly higher proportion of Australians now disagree with the Industrial Relations reforms (49%) than disagreed in July (47%). The percentage of Australians who agree with the reforms (17%) remains unchanged since the previous survey.” Proposed Reforms The Federal Government has proposed that unfair dismissal laws be abolished for employers with one hundred staff or less. Australians are overwhelmingly against this proposal, with 66% (down 4% since July, 2005) saying they disagree, compared with 26% of Australians who agree with the proposal and 8% who couldn’t say, As part of the Industrial Relations reforms the Federal Government has proposed extending the probationary period for new employees from 3 to 6 months. The majority of Australians (54% - up 7% since July) disagree with this proposal while 41% (down 2%) agree. Five percent couldn’t say. A majority of Australians (55% - unchanged) agree with the Government’s proposal that employees be able to cash in two weeks of their annual leave. Forty percent of Australians disagree with this proposal and 5% were unable to say. The 20% of Australians who had not heard of the Industrial Relations reforms initially, were asked again if they agreed or disagreed with the reforms. The response was divided, with 6% disagreeing with the reforms, 6% agreeing and 8% unable to say. When asked if, overall, they thought the Industrial Relations reforms would be a good or bad thing for Australia , 50% of Australians believe that they would be a bad thing, compared to 29% who believe they would be a good thing. Twenty-one percent of respondents were unable to say. Those surveyed on October 12/13, 2005 were asked if they had any comments or reasons why they disagree with the proposed Industrial Relations reforms. Many respondents thought the Howard Government had abandoned the workers and were concerned about workers’ rights, with common responses being: “John Howard does not have the worker’s benefits and interests at heart”, “The industrial revolution happened for a reason — to give workers better working conditions. Not all workers have that ability to fight for their rights”, “I believe they are throwing Australian workers to the wolves. The Australian worker will be seriously disadvantaged. They will be exploited even more than they are now”, “How would you go? Still a worker, you have to negotiate for your time off, your sick pay, your holiday pay. You have to haggle and fight your boss for all of those things. Not happy”, “The current Government is trying to put the battler into a weaker position. Little Johnny just wants more power” and “They are taking away the right of the employee”. Other respondents commented that the shift in power to the employer would place workers in a position where they could be taken advantage of, saying: “I think workers will be disadvantaged by the changes, making them more vulnerable”, “I think everyone needs protection. Employers are definitely going to try to screw the workers”, “It’s unfair in the long run. It gives employers too much power”, “The everyday workers will be worse off and employers will have too much control” and “I am concerned about the intimidation of workers — deregulation of workers rights”. Others who disagree with the proposed Industrial Relations reforms mentioned job security as a reason, with comments such as: “The average worker won’t have a say in things. Job security won’t be what they say it will be”, “It seems like people can be dismissed for inadequate reasons”, “From what I have seen there is too much casual work and not enough permanent jobs — there is no job security any more — this will make it worse!”, “I think it is providing more room for employers to dismiss employees for minor reasons” and “It makes it difficult for a new generation to find secure jobs”. Some respondents were concerned about the ability of employees to negotiate with their employer, saying: “Not everybody has the capacity to negotiate with their employer”, “It will disadvantage the people who can’t argue their case”, “It is one thing for a professional or somebody in a white collar to negotiate a contract, but a blue collar worker may not have the skills to do so”, “It assumes that things are equal — and they’re not. The workers and the bosses don’t have equal rights or equal bargaining power in negotiations” and “They are getting rid of leave loading. People who are not savvy at negotiating will miss out on their entitlements”. Of those who agree with the Industrial Relations reforms, many believe they will benefit Australian employers — particularly small business employers, with common responses being: “I think it is going to make small businesses more competitive and is going to lead to less unemployment”, “Something needs to be done. Things need to be changed — it’s too hard for an employer to get rid of someone who’s not doing their job right”, “The reforms are there to protect small business — small businesses need protection” and “There are s many cases where small businesses have gone through really hard times because of employees making it hard for them”. Many believed the reforms will help improve productivity and be beneficial to the economy, saying: “It’s the way of the world — we have to become more competitive”, “Industrial Relations reforms are designed to improve productivity and living standards”, “I think the reform is needed in order to continue the good economic capacity Australia currently has” and “There are real pressures on any Australian business these days coming from Asia and China - meaning that we need to reform out Industrial Relations systems in order to become more competitive in a globalizing labor market”. Others who agree with the Industrial Relations reforms believe the Unions currently have too much power, with comments such as: “Unions have had too much power over the last 20-30 years — it has been detrimental to the workers”, “The unions need their powers curbed”, “I think the unions have quite a bit of power in some industries. Lessen the union power in those areas to make them more productive “ and “I think the trade unions have outlived their original purpose and now business and small business in particular should be able to get rid of the people they want to”. This special telephone Morgan Poll was conducted on the evenings of October 12/13, 2005, with 662 respondents aged 14 and over Australia-wide. For further information: Gary Morgan : Office (03) 9224 5213 Mobile 0411 129 094 Home (03) 9419 3242 Michele Levine : Office (03) 9224 5215 Mobile 0411 129 093 Home (03) 9817 3066
Proposed Industrial Relations Reforms Respondents were first asked: “Firstly, about the Federal Government’s proposed Industrial Relations reforms. Have you read or heard about this?” Men were more likely than women (84% cf 77%) to have read or heard about the Federal Government’s proposed Industrial Relations reforms. People aged 50 and over were the most likely (88%) to have heard about the proposed reforms.
# Sample sizes less than 50 should be treated with caution Analysis by voting intention shows that a large majority of L-NP (85%) and ALP (85%) supporters have read or heard about the Federal Government’s proposed Industrial Relations reforms.
# 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 White Collar workers were more likely than Blue Collar workers (88% cf 66%) to have read or heard about the proposed reforms while Union members were more likely than Non-Union members to have heard of the proposed reforms (91% cf 80%).
Agree Or Disagree With Industrial Relations Reforms? Respondents who had read or heard about the proposed Industrial Relations reforms were then asked: “Do you agree or disagree with the proposed Industrial Relations reforms?” Men were more likely than women (20% cf 15%) to agree with the proposed reforms. Analysis by age shows those aged 35-49 were more likely (at 22%) than any other age group to agree with the proposed Industrial Relations reforms. Those in the 14-17 year age group were the least likely (at 5%) to agree with the reforms.
Supporters of the L-NP were more likely than supporters of any other party to agree with the Government’s proposed Industrial Relations reforms, with 35% agreeing. Only 5% of supporters of the ALP agreed with the proposed reforms.
# 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
People living in capital cities were more likely than people living in country areas (18% cf 16%) to agree with the proposed Industrial Relations reforms. On a State-by-state basis, those living in WA were most likely (at 24%) to agree with the proposed reforms. Those living in South Australia and Northern Territory were the least likely (7%) to agree with the proposed Industrial Relations reforms.
White Collar workers were more likely than Blue Collar workers (20% cf 12%) to agree with the Industrial Relations reforms. The majority of Union members (63%) disagree with the proposed reforms compared to 47% of Non-Union members.
Family Better Off With Proposed Industrial Relations Reforms? Respondents who had read or heard about the proposed Industrial Relations reforms were then asked: “In your opinion w ill you and your family be better off with the proposed Industrial Relations reforms, or not?” Men were more likely than women (42% cf 35%) to believe that they and their family would not be better off under the proposed Industrial Relations reforms. People aged 25 to 34 were slightly more likely than any other age group to think that they and their family would be better off under the proposed Industrial Relations reforms, with 16%.
Supporters of the L-NP were most likely to think that they and their family would be better off under the proposed Industrial Relations reforms, with 17%, whilst only 1% of Greens supporters though that they and their family would be better off.
# 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 Those living in Tasmania and NSW were the most likely (14% and 13% respectively) to think that they and their families would be better off under the proposed reforms, whilst South Australia and Northern Territory residents were the least likely to think they and their families would be better off, with 4%.
White Collar workers were more likely than Blue Collar workers (12% cf 7%) to think that they and their family would be better off under the proposed Industrial Relations reforms. The majority of union members (54%) think they will not be better off under the proposed Industrial Relations reforms compared to 37% of non-union members.
Probationary Period Extended From 3 To 6 Months All respondents were then asked: “ It is proposed that the probationary period for new employees be extended from 3 to 6 months. Do you agree or disagree with this proposal?” A majority of people (54%) disagree with the proposal that the probationary period for new employees be extended from 3 to 6 months. Those aged 50 and over were the most likely to agree with proposal (48%)
# Sample sizes less than 50 should be treated with caution Fifty percent of L-NP and Australia Democrat supporters agreed with the proposal that the probationary period for new employees be extended from 3 to 6 months, compared with 36% of ALP supporters. Family First supporters were the least likely (15%) to agree with the proposal.
# 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 State shows that those from Western Australia were the most likely (46%) to agree with the proposal that the probationary period for new employees be extended from 3 to 6 months, whilst Tasmanians were the least likely to agree (35%).
Cash In Annual Leave Respondents were then asked: “It is proposed that employees will be able to cash in two weeks of their annual leave. Do you agree or disagree with the proposed idea?” An analysis by age shows that people aged over 50 were least likely (44%) to agree with this proposal.
Supporters of the L-NP were the most likely to agree with the proposal that employees be able to cash in two weeks of their annual leave, with 66%. Supporters of the ALP, the Greens, and the Australian Democrats (all 40%) were the least likely to agree.
# 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 A majority of people in both capital cities (53%) and country areas (57%) agree with the proposed idea that employees be able to cash in two weeks of their annual leave. Tasmanians (74%) were most likely to agree with the proposal, whilst people from Victoria (49%) were the least likely.
Blue Collar workers (58%) were more likely than White Collar workers (53%) to agree with the proposed idea that employees be able to cash in two weeks of their annual leave. Non-Union members (56%) were also more likely than Union members to agree with proposal.
Unfair Dismissal Laws Respondents were then asked: “ It is proposed that unfair dismissal laws be abolished for employers with 100 staff or less. Do you agree or disagree with this? Men were more likely than women (28% cf 24%) to agree with the proposal that unfair dismissal laws be abolished for employers with 100 staff or less.
Family First supporters were the most likely (47%) to agree with the proposal that unfair dismissal laws be abolished for employers with 100 staff or less, followed by 36% of L-NP supporters. Only 14% of ALP supporters and 10% of Australian Democrats supporters agreed with the proposal.
# 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 People in country areas were more likely than those in capital cities (30% cf 23%) to agree with the proposal that unfair dismissal laws be abolished for employers with 100 staff or less. On a state-by-state basis, Tasmanians (32%), were the most likely to agree with the proposal, with Western Australians the least likely (19%).
White Collar workers (27%) were more likely than Blue Collar workers (24%) to agree that unfair dismissal laws be abolished for employers with 100 staff or less. Seventy-one percent of Union members and 66% of Non-union members disagree with the unfair dismissal proposals.
Agree Or Disagree With Industrial Relations Reforms? Respondents who had not read or heard about the proposed Industrial Relations reforms were then asked: “Do you agree or disagree with the proposed Industrial Relations reforms?” Women were more likely than men (6% cf 5%) to agree with the proposed reforms. Analysis by age shows those aged 18 to 24 were more likely than any other age group to disagree with the proposed Industrial Relations reforms, with 17%.
Supporters of Family First were more likely (9%) than supporters of any other party to agree with the Industrial Relations reforms proposed by the Federal Government.
# 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 Good Thing Or Bad Thing For Australia Respondents were then asked: “ Overall, do you think the proposed Industrial Relations reforms would be a good thing or a bad thing for Australia ?” A majority of men (52%) think that that the proposed Industrial Relations reforms would be a bad thing for Australia . Analysis by age shows that those aged 25 to 34 (55%), and 35 to 59 (51%) were the most likely to think that the proposals would be a bad thing for Australia .
A majority of L-NP supporters were the most likely (51%) to think the proposal would be good for Australia , a sentiment shared by only 9% of ALP and Greens supporters.
# 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 People in capital cities were more likely to think the proposals would be good for Australia than those in country area (31% cf 27%). On a state-by-state basis, Western Australians and Tasmanias (36%) were the most likely to think the proposals will be good for Australia, while a majority of NSW, QLD and SA/NT residents think that the proposal would be bad for Australia.
White Collar workers (30%) were more likely than Blue Collar workers (27%) to think that the proposals would be a good thing for Australia . Sixty- three percent of Union members, compared to 47% of Non-Union members, think that that Industrial Relations reforms will be bad for Australia .
The Morgan Poll is conducted by the ONLY Australian member of the Gallup International Association. No Other public opinion poll taken in Australia has this qualification. |
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