Via The Guardian:
A majority of Australians support a tax on sugar-sweetened drinks, a new poll has found.
The Guardian Essential poll, released on Tuesday, found 53% of the 1,038 respondents were in favour of a sugar tax on drinks, compared with 38% opposed and 10% with no opinion.
A majority of all major-party voters backed the sugar tax, with Greens (60%) and Coalition voters (57%) most in favour.
In January the Australian Medical Association joined a renewed push for a sugar tax but the Turnbull government immediately ruled out the idea on the basis consumers should take “individual responsibility” for food choices.
The poll finds Bill Shorten’s approval rating has slumped over summer, with Malcolm Turnbull increasing his lead as preferred prime minister despite Labor maintaining its 53% to 47% two-party preferred lead.
Shorten’s approval slipped from 36% to 32% and disapproval increased from 45% to 49%, causing his deficit in net approval to nearly double from -9% in December to -17% in January.
Turnbull also lost popularity, with his net approval slipping from -3% to -7%. Some 45% disapprove of the prime minister’s performance compared with 38% who approve.
Turnbull led as preferred prime minister with 42% of respondents choosing him, over the 25% who picked Shorten, down 3% since December. One-third of voters were undecided (33%).
Only one thing will change it. The Coalition cuts immigration to repair its One Nation splintered vote or it’s a goner.
Tony Abbott is the man.
