I was thrilled today to read some excellent research conducted by the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA). The IPA have released the results of a Galaxy poll they commissioned to gauge Australian’s willingness to pay to fight global warming. Let’s take a look at the summary of the results:
Amount willing to pay | May-10 | May-12 |
Over $1,000 | 6% | 5% |
$1,000 | 9% | 9% |
$500 | 22% | 16% |
$300 | 14% | 14% |
$100 | 12% | 12% |
Nothing | 35% | 37% |
Don’t know | 3% | 7% |
What can we divine from this table?
- 14% of people surveyed were prepared to pay $1,000 or more per year.
- 30% of people surveyed were prepared to pay over $500 per year.
- 56% of people surveyed were prepared to pay something per year.
- 37% of people surveyed weren’t prepared to pay anything.
- 7% of people surveyed are just confused.
InstofPublicAffairs @TheIPA “Few willing to pay cost of carbon fight” The@Australian:http://bit.ly/JEODCf ($)
The temporal aspects of the research indicate that things are basically unchanged since 2010. The biggest changes are in the $300 and “Don’t know” category. If I had to offer a hypothesis I’d say this is a middle class shift in response to the negativity and misinformation surrounding the carbon tax, and critically, the compensation paid. But really, we can basically say things are for the most part much the same.
I think this is cause for celebration. The honeymoon period of K Rudd and Australian leadership on climate change has long since disappeared, yet the majority of Australian’s still support – and are willing to pay for – action on climate change, despite years of rhetoric and negativity surrounding Australian climate change policy. Pat yourselves on the back, Australia. And you too, IPA, a fine bit of research…just work on the reporting, if not for your own members, do it for the readers of The Australian.
Well spotted, guys! Next step is Media Watch!!!