2016 Lowy Institute polling: Majority of Australians favour a local build for next-generation submarines
Australians have strong views on where Australia’s next submarines should be built, with the latest Lowy Institute polling finding that 70% of Australian adults want the submarines ‘built mainly in Australia, even if this will cost us more’.
Only 26% say ‘the submarines should be built at the best possible price, even if this means they are mainly built overseas’.
The site of the submarine construction project has been a topic of considerable public and political debate, with pressure to involve Australian shipbuilders and labour to stimulate the domestic economy and provide jobs.
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Executive Summary
This result is drawn from the forthcoming 2016 Lowy Institute Poll, which will be released in full in June 2016. The Lowy Institute Poll is based on a nationally representative telephone survey of 1202 Australian adults conducted by market research company Fieldworks between 26 February and 15 March 2016. The Poll’s error margin is approximately +/- 2.8%.
The question put to survey respondents was:
‘And now about Australia’s proposed purchase of new submarines. Companies in France, Germany and Japan are in a competitive tender to build Australia’s next generation of submarines. Which statement comes closest to your personal view: the submarines should be built mainly in Australia, even if this will cost us more … [or] … the submarines should be built at the best possible price, even if this means they are mainly built overseas?’
Table of results:
The submarines should be built mainly in Australia, even if this will cost us more |
70% |
The submarines should be built at the best possible price, even if this means they are mainly built overseas |
26% |
Neither/Don’t know/no view |
4% |