Poll reveals public’s hopes and fears about the next state government

A SNAP poll conducted in the lead-up to the state election has revealed the cynicism of voters of all political persuasions about the next Victorian government.

Roy Morgan asked Victorian electors two questions: what, if anything, would concern them about a re-elected ALP Government under Premier Daniel Andrews, and the same question about a potential Liberal-National Government led by Matthew Guy.

ALP supporters mostly felt great about Mr Andrews and the job he was doing, with their concerns, if any, related to the potential for the Government to engage in excessive spending and running up the debt, the firefighters’ dispute, commitment to rural infrastructure, increasing crime and the recently revealed deal with China.

LNP supporters were concerned about Labor’s out of control and wasteful spending and the increasing debt while other issues mentioned included lack of trust in politicians, their broken promises and corruption, the close connections between the Andrews Government and the unions and being soft on crime and issues with law and order and gangs.

Greens supporters were concerned about the unions having too much power, the tendency for the Andrews Government to focus too heavily on the city at the expense of regional areas and issues related to investment in public transport and infrastructure.

Roy Morgan chief executive officer Michele Levine said the poll showed there were some concerns that transgress political boundaries, such as concerns about trust and honesty in politics, as well as “some issues that break down more conventional party lines such as health and education and economic management and spending”.

“Supporters of all parties express a high degree of cynicism about the promises made by political leaders, particularly in the context of a campaign to win an election and form government.”