Students, professionals vote for sustainability24 April 2006
23 April 2006
Media Release
New poll: Students andprofessionals' votes most likely to shift to party tacklingkey sustainability issues
The country's students andprofessionals are among the biggest 'soft voter' groups whocould sway the next election result, based on how partiespolicies tackle economic growth - while preserving NewZealand's quality of life.
A new nationwide poll conductedby UMR for the New Zealand Business Council for SustainableDevelopment and released today, shows 49% of students and47% of professionals say they could change their minds onwhich party to vote for before the election. Clerks (44%)and service workers (41%) are not far behind.
Overall, 47%of voters have made a firm party vote choice -- but another39% say they may change their minds before the nextelection.
And 49% of voters with a current votingpreference say they would be more likely to be attracted toa party which places an emphasis on preserving the NewZealand quality of life.
With a 1.5% difference onlybetween Labour and National in the 2005 general electionresult, the poll indicates that the party or parties whichcan persuade the public they are the best custodians for theNew Zealand quality of life have the potential to be inpower for a long time, the Business Council says.
The pollshows New Zealand First and Greens support is thesoftest.
Among those who say they will currently voteGreen 57% may change their mind. Among other party votersthe possible vote switches are NZ First (48%); Labour (47%);National (37%).
NZ First is the most vulnerable to currentsupporters switching votes to a party placing more emphasison preserving the New Zealand quality of life: Some 75% ofthose saying they would vote for NZ First there is a chanceof changing their mind before the next election. For otherparties it is Green (60%), Labour (57%) and National(49%).
The big issues which could drive vote switchinginclude:
Fresh water supply (the four parties each have12% of soft voters saying this could move their vote to aparty which does more about this issue).
Energy supply:Among those who could change their voting preferenceNational is most vulnerable on this issue (14% couldchange); followed by Labour, Green and NZ first (all10%).
Waste reduction: Soft vote by party on this issue -- Greens 21%; NZ First, National and Labour each13%.
Population growth: Soft voters who could switch, byparty -- Green (12%); Labour 7%; National 6%; NZ First0%.
Ageing of the population: Soft voter switch -- National(9%); Greens 3%; Labour 2%, NZ First 0%.
Skill shortages:More than 17% of voters are very concerned by this issue.Soft voters by party: Green (18%); National (16%); Labourand NZ First (12%).
Business Council Chief Executive PeterNeilson says the new poll, conducted among a nationallyrepresentative sample of 750 people aged 18+ in the lastweek of March, was done to find out what political impactsustainable development policies could have.
It followsother qualitative and quantitative council research,conducted late last year and also released today, todetermine what people understood about sustainabledevelopment and the related issues which matter most tothem. This research also included a nationwide UMR poll of750 people aged 18+.
The Business Council -- a group of 51companies whose $33 billion in annual sales equates to 28%of the country's gross domestic product -- says its pollinglate last year showed 86% of New Zealanders understandsustainable development to be important because they want tolook after the things that are good about our country andmake sure they are there for future generations.
"There iswidespread support for sustainable development when it'sexpressed as growing the economy and developing the countryin away which balances growth, protects the environmentwhile also exercising social responsibility."
Whensustainable development was expressed in these terms 60%were interested in the concept, 36% very interested.
MrNeilson says the research also has a message for business:Some 75% of respondents to the nationwide poll taken lastyear believe it is important for individual businesses toplay a role in sustainable development.
The BusinessCouncil -- whose 51 members include a wide cross section ofsectors, including major telecommunications, banking,accounting, energy, motor vehicle, manufacturing and retailinterests -- says it wants political parties to understandthe importance of sustainable development policies to theelectorate.
It wants long-term multi-party agreements onpolicies affecting climate change, reducing green house gasemissions, securing the energy and water supplies, whileimproving social outcomes.
"Our research has exposed amajor seam of genuine and deeply held concern among Kiwis towhich says 'get on with growing the country in a way whichprotects our quality of life'. It may explain why tax cutsand similar policies don't win elections on their own. Kiwishave a far deeper respect for the environment -- includingthe social environment - and enough are open to consideringa vote for the party which best addresses sustainabledevelopment," Mr Neilsonsays.
ENDS
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