Poll reveals public favours manufacturing transition over gas-fired plan

The poll – conducted from 14-16 September – showed close to two-thirds (65%) of those surveyed supported taxpayer funds being used to transition the Australian manufacturing industry towards using clean renewable energy, while only 19% supported continuing to rely on fossil fuels such as gas. Just under one-third (31%) of Coalition voters support Australian manufacturing continuing to rely on fossil fuels like gas.

The survey was conducted by YouGov on behalf of Oxfam Australia with a nationally representative sample of Australian voters. Releasing the survey results, Oxfam Australia Chief Executive Lyn Morgain said the poll found support for prioritising funding for the health sector was highest at 74%, while 47% supported prioritising public investment in the tourism industry, 46% in schools and universities, and 41% in renewable energy – almost three times as much as would prioritise gas. A majority (56%) opposed taxpayer money being spent on subsidising multinational gas companies and new gas infrastructure, with only 26% supporting subsidising of gas companies.

Morgain said the Government should listen to taxpayers before investing their money at such a critical moment for the nation.

“The Prime Minister’s move to put gas, a fossil fuel, at the centre of our recovery from COVID-19 is deeply concerning and clearly at odds with the wishes of the Australian people,” said Morgain. “Australians do not want their money to be spent on an industry that is uneconomic, provides few jobs and causes further damage to our climate. The market has made clear the lack of viability of fossil fuels through their reluctance to fund gas projects.”

A briefing paper released by Oxfam in July, Australia’s energy future & the recovery from COVID-19, stated that gas was an “unstable foundation on which to rebuild an economy and build a better future”. Morgain said the Government risked imposing a crippling burden on future generations in the form of climate damage, stranded assets, fewer jobs and big debts.

“We have an opportunity to take serious action to tackle climate change by investing in renewable energies, while stabilising and strengthening the Australian economy,” Morgain said. “Backing fossil fuels is a missed opportunity. Oxfam is calling on the Government to use the October 6 Federal Budget to scrap their plans for a fossil fuel-led recovery, and instead invest in economic stimulus measures that accelerate the transformation of our energy system and economy.”