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No Change In Attitude Towards Nuclear Power Plants

Finding No. 4145 - March 07, 2007

More Victorian and New South Wales residents approve (48%, unchanged since June 2006) of nuclear power plants to replace coal, oil and gas power plants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions than those who disapprove (36%, down 2%), while 16% (up 2%) can’t say, a special Morgan Poll conducted in Victoria and New South Wales last week finds.

However, 82% (down 6%) of Victoria and New South Wales residents are concerned about the disposal of nuclear waste if nuclear power plants are introduced, 16% (up 5%) are not concerned, and 2% (up 1%) can’t say.

Other Key Findings:
• A significantly higher proportion of men approve of nuclear power plants to replace coal, oil and gas power plants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions than women: 58% cf. 38%.
• Women are more concerned about the disposal of nuclear waste than men: 90% cf. 74%.
• Melbourne residents are less likely to approve of nuclear power plants and more likely to be concerned about nuclear waste when compared to their Sydney counterparts.

Gary Morgan says:

“Recent publicity surrounding the possible introduction of a nuclear power industry into Australia has had no effect on attitudes towards the issue.

“Currently, 48% of Victorian and New South Wales residents approve of nuclear power plants to replace coal, oil and gas power plants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while 36% disapprove. In June last year, 49% of Australians (48% of Victorian and New South Wales residents) approved.

“Special Roy Morgan Qualitative Research finds that the major concern remains the safe storage, use and disposal of nuclear related material.”


Special Roy Morgan Qualitative Research in which respondents gave their reason for approving or disapproving nuclear power plants replacing coal, oil and gas power plants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions found:

 

Many Australians agree there is a need to look at power production methods apart from coal, oil and gas.  However, a large number also believe the Government should be looking at more environmentally friendly sources of power, such as solar and wind power:

 

 “I feel coal power is the worst source — solar would be ideal but it seems nuclear is the best solution in the meantime.  The waste is bit of a problem but reducing greenhouse emissions is more important at the moment.”

 

“I think nuclear power is a good clean option.  A lot of European countries use it such as France and Belgium, America also.  The new reactors work well and are efficient.”

 

“I just think it’s inevitable, eventually it’s the way we have to go, we just have to learn how to handle in properly.”

 

“I’m sure there’s a bad side but I’m also sure there are many advantages. Overall, I think the benefits override the negatives so I back it because global warming’s has to stop.”

 

“As long as the whole process is safe and the waste is disposed properly, I don’t have any problem with nuclear power.”

 

“If handled properly, nuclear power is more environmentally friendly for us in the long term.”

 

“I don’t know too much about it, but if it helps the environment then I approve.”

 

Opponents of the introduction of nuclear power plants quickly cite past nuclear disasters, lack of information and scepticism of the benefits as major reasons:

 

“The whole concept of nuclear plants is daunting, and the loss of jobs of the people in the remaining industries is not a good thing.”

 

“I don’t think it’s (nuclear power) as green as it is made out to be.”

 

“I don’t know enough about it to approve, and what you hear isn’t good — the waste is dangerous, storage of it and what it will do to future generations is rather worrying.”

 

“I disapprove because of the long-term safety and no-one wants one (nuclear plant) in their backyard.  There’s a general uncertainty, a hangover from Chernobyl — the damage is long-term.”

 

“I think the waste is the chief concern and that it requires a lot of infrastructure.  There are better alternatives that are much cheaper and more economical.”

 

“I think that the disposal of nuclear waste is very dangerous.”

 

“I still don't think it’s a clean technology.”

“I disapprove because of the problems there are in storing the used up product and also perhaps it will act as an incitement for people who might want to use nuclear material for armaments.”

 

“I don’t agree with the arguments put forward saying that nuclear will reduce greenhouse gas emissions — I don’t think it will make much difference overall and you have the problem of the nuclear waste.  I think Australia should further investigate solar, wind and ocean wave technologies first.”

 

“I’m a bit worried, it’s all so new — we don’t know what good and bad will come out of it in the end.  It’s a bit to experimental for my liking.”

 

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

Approval of Nuclear Power Plants

Respondents were asked: “Do you approve or disapprove of nuclear power plants replacing coal, oil, and gas power plants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?”

 

Australia 14+

NSW & VIC 14+

Analysis by Sex & Age

 

June 2006

June 2006

Feb 28, 2007

Men

Women

14-17#

18-24#

25-34

35-49

50+

 

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

Approve

49

48

48

58

38

49

66

56

38

46

Disapprove

37

38

36

31

42

40

27

34

42

35

Can’t say

14

14

16

11

20

11

7

10

20

19

Total

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

# Sample sizes less than 50 should be treated with caution

 

Australia 14+

NSW & VIC 14+

Analysis by Region & State

 

June 2006

June 2006

Feb 28, 2007

Sydney

NSW Country

(incl. ACT)

Melbourne

VIC Country#

 

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

Approve

49

48

48

57

44

40

48

Disapprove

37

38

36

28

37

45

37

Can’t say

14

14

16

15

19

15

15

Total

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

# Sample sizes less than 50 should be treated with caution

Nuclear Waste Disposal

Respondents were then told: “A major issue that arises from nuclear power plants relates to how and where nuclear waste is disposed.” 

Respondents were then asked: “Are you concerned about the disposal of nuclear waste or not?”

 

Australia 14+

NSW & VIC 14+

Analysis by Sex & Age

 

June 2006

June 2006

Feb 28, 2007

Men

Women

14-17#

18-24#

25-34

35-49

50+

 

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

Yes, concerned

87

88

82

74

90

73

77

86

86

80

No, not concerned

12

11

16

25

8

15

20

14

13

19

Can’t say

1

1

2

1

2

12

3

-

1

1

Total

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

# Sample sizes less than 50 should be treated with caution

 

Australia 14+

NSW & VIC 14+

Analysis by Region & State

 

June 2006

June 2006

Feb 28, 2007

Sydney

NSW Country

(incl. ACT)

Melbourne

VIC Country#

 

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

Yes, concerned

87

88

82

78

81

89

76

No, not concerned

12

11

16

21

15

11

18

Can’t say

1

1

2

1

4

-

6

Total

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

# Sample sizes less than 50 should be treated with caution

This special telephone Morgan Poll was conducted on February 28, 2007, with a Victorian & New South Wales cross-section of 389 men and women aged 14 and over.

Margin of Error

The margin of error to be allowed for in any estimate depends mainly on the number of interviews on which it is based. The following table gives indications of the likely range within which estimates would be 95% likely to fall, expressed as the number of percentage points above or below the actual estimate. The figures are approximate and for general guidance only, and assume a simple random sample. Allowance for design effects (such as stratification and weighting) should be made as appropriate.

Sample Size

Percentage Estimate

 

40%-60%

25% or 75%

10% or 90%

5% or 95%

500

±4.5

±3.9

±2.7

±1.9

The Morgan Poll accurately predicted that the ALP would win the 2006 Queensland election with a reduced majority (sample 604 electors).

 

The Morgan Poll accurately predicted that the ALP would win the 2006 Victorian election with a reduced majority (sample 956 electors).  The Morgan Poll was also the most accurate on the primary vote of the major parties for the Victorian election.

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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