Research Australia National and Marginal Seats Survey Results

Commissioned by Research Australia in response to reports that the Australian Government was considering reducing NHMRC funding by up to $400 million in the May 2011 budget, this National and Marginal Seats Survey was conducted by JWS Research by telephone from 18 to 20 April 2011. The random probability sample of n=800 voters nationwide included an over-sample of n=400 voters in key and marginal seats, with a maximum margin of error of ±3.5% at the 95% confidence level. Increasing funding for health and medical research was rated highly important by 83% of voters, and 95% considered a strong health and medical research industry important; results in marginal seats were similar. Only 46% were aware of the possible cut, while 75% disagreed with it, including 63% who strongly disagreed. Even when the cut was framed as necessary to return the budget to surplus by 2012-2013, 69% disagreed. Ninety-five per cent were concerned about missing out on new cures and treatments, and 64% agreed health and medical research should be quarantined from budget cuts as in the UK. Fifty-eight per cent of all voters and of marginal seat voters said they would be less likely to vote for a local MP who supported the cut, and 89% would pay $1 more per prescription medicine if the money went to research.