Home |  site-map |  indonesia |  indonesian-single-source-articles |  asteroid-user-registration |

Roy Morgan OZ Panel Login  |  Mail Diary Panel Login |   careers |  contact-us |  state-of-the-nation-webcast |

A Morgan Poll released late last week found a higher proportion of Australian electors say Mr Rudd (51%, up 9% since January) would be a better Prime Minister than Mr Howard (44%, down 6% since January), while 5% (down 3%) can’t say. 

This result is in contrast to a Morgan Poll conducted in January when a higher proportion of electors said Mr Howard (50%) is a better Prime Minister than Mr Rudd (42%) would be.

As part of last week’s survey, Special Morgan Poll Qualitative Research was conducted that looked at reasons why electors said John Howard or Kevin Rudd would make the better Prime Minister.

Key findings:

• Mr Howard’s experience was the recurring theme among electors who said he is a better Prime Minister than Mr Rudd would be;

• Mr Howard’s management of the economy and Mr Rudd’s lack of experience were some of the other reasons electors cited for their decision;

• There is a large amount of discontent and/or resentment towards Mr Howard and some of his Government’s policies among those who preferred Mr Rudd as Prime Minister; and

• While there certainly is characteristics of Mr Rudd that are appealing to Australian electors, the number of electors who said they preferred Mr Rudd due to disillusionment with Mr Howard and the Coalition Government far outweighed those who cited positive aspects about the Opposition Leader and his party.

Gary Morgan says:

“This Special Roy Morgan Qualitative Research identifies three major themes: (i) Mr Howard’s experience is the prevailing reason among electors who said he is a better Prime Minister than Mr Rudd would be; (ii) a vast majority of Mr Rudd’s supporters cite resentment towards the current Government’s past policies and decisions; and (iii) ‘time for a change’ was prevalent amongst Mr Rudd’s supporters.

“What looms as a major factor in the upcoming election is how Labor’s recently announced industrial relations policy resonates with electors.”

The recurring theme among electors who said Mr Howard is a better Prime Minister than Mr Rudd would be was his experience:

“Howard has all the experience — his previous experiences are far greater than Rudd.”

“Howard’s got the experience and a proven track record — the country is in the best state it’s ever been.”

“Howard has a good history as the Prime Minister and I think he is more realistic than Mr Rudd.”

“Howard is better because of his past performances and because they (the Government) keep going — know matter how much opposition Howard gets he sticks with his policies.”

“Howard has done a pretty good job.  He has made a few mistakes but I don’t think there is any reason that he can’t continue.”

“Because Howard has proved himself over the years.”

“Howard is better because of the experience he has, which Rudd doesn’t have.”

Other reasons supporters of Mr Howard cited ranged from his management of the economy to Mr Rudd’s lack of experience:

“I think the management of the economy is good and that makes Howard a good leader in my opinion.”

“The state of our economy makes Howard better — we have had no problems like and have done pretty well.”

“I think that Howard is more economically conservative.”

“I don’t know enough about Rudd at the moment.”

“I object to union power and how they interfere with the building industry.  I suppose I just generally disapprove of unions.”

The number of electors who said they preferred Mr Rudd due to disillusionment with Mr Howard and the Coalition Government far outweighed those who cited positive aspects about the Opposition Leader and his party.  However, there certainly appears to be characteristics of Mr Rudd that are appealing to Australian electors:

“Rudd’s public ethics are much healthier for the future of our grandchildren and for Australia.  Things like human rights, David Hicks, and compassion for people who try to settle here as asylum seekers.”

“I think Rudd is more forward looking with a more creative outlook.  He has a better sense of the ethics and appears more honest.”

“I just think Rudd’s got better ideas and is more for the people.  He has a better understanding of what’s happening to the people.”

“Rudd’s younger and not so set in his ways.”

“Rudd’s fresh and younger.  I think this would make him more for the people rather than for the big businesses and companies, which is what Howard is about.  I think we’re due a change in leadership.”

“Comparing the both of them, I personally warm to Rudd more.  A lot of my opinion comes from my family and they would vote the same way.”

Among those who said Mr Rudd would be a better Prime Minister there was a large amount of discontent and/or resentment about Mr Howard and some of his Government’s policies:

“I don’t like a lot of things the Howard Government has done.  Iraq war, GST, etc, as well as not spending money on hospitals and similar things, etc.”

“It’s time we had a change.  The Liberals do very sneaky things behind your back — like the wages (IR) and interest rates.  They didn’t announce these at the elections and people fell for that.  Howard is a sneak.”

“Because I find Howard’s IR policies appalling.  Climate change policies are no good — more resources are needed in alternative energies.”

“While the Government’s been in power it has changed the country in more ways than we can ever put it back to — it’s totally different.”

“I don’t like Howard’s policies on nuclear power; I just think Howard has done a bad job — he’s not considering the average person, the working classes.  I don’t like to get involved in politics too much because I just get frustrated with him (Howard).”

For further information:
Gary Morgan: Office (03) 9224 5213 Mobile 0411 129 094 Home (03) 9419 3242

The Morgan Poll is conducted by the ONLY Australian and New Zealand member of the Gallup International Association.

No other public opinion poll taken in Australia has this qualification.

© 2007 Roy Morgan Research. All Rights Reserved
privacy-statement