Australians don’t want the Adani mine

As reported on Monday night by Michele Levine on ABCTV’s Q&A a special Roy Morgan Snap SMS Survey taken last weekend finds the majority of Australians (53.5%) do not think ‘the Adani mine should go ahead’. Only 16% that say the Adani mine should go ahead while a further 30.5% either haven’t heard of the Adani mine or didn’t indicate a preference for whether it should go ahead or not.

Of those who had heard of the Adani mine and had a view as to whether the mine should go ahead or not an overwhelming 77% were against the Adani mine going ahead compared to only 23% that wanted the mine to go ahead – effectively a more than 3:1 ratio against.

This special Roy Morgan Snap SMS Survey was conducted over last weekend of October 6-8, 2017 with a cross-section of 1,547 Australians aged 18+.

Questions:

“Have you heard of the proposed Adani coal mine planned for regional Queensland? IF YES Respondents were asked “Do you think the Adani mine should go ahead?” Respondents were then asked: “And why do you say that?” – Detailed verbatim responses follow on from these tables.

Analysis by Voting Intention

Analysing by Voting Intention shows supporters of all the major parties are against the Adani coal mine going ahead although more than a quarter of National (29.5%) and Liberal (26%) supporters do think the Adani mine should go ahead:

When considering only those respondents who have heard of the mine and gave an opinion on the mine the opposition amongst Greens supporters (94%) and ALP supporters (89%) is almost unanimous. Despite their greater ambivalence majorities of both Liberal supporters (60.5%) and National supporters (55.5%) are also against the Adani mine going ahead.

Results filtered only to those who’ve heard of the Adani mine and responded to Question 2:
Do you think the Adani mine should go ahead?”

Analysis by Gender & Age

Analysing by gender shows majorities of both women (51.5%) and men (56%) against the mine going ahead while only minorities support the mine. Women are also far more likely not to have heard of the Adani mine than men.

Analysing by age shows all age groups are clearly against the Adani mine going ahead – including majorities of all age groups 35+. Younger Australians under 35 are the least in favour of the mine however many in these age groups haven’t heard of the Adani coal mine in the first place.

When considering only those respondents who have heard of the mine and gave an opinion the opposition is strongest amongst women (83.5%) and the younger age groups with 83% of 18-24yr olds and 83.5% of 25-34yr olds opposed, although over 70% in each older age group are also opposed.

Results filtered only to those who’ve heard of the Adani mine and responded to Question 2:
Do you think the Adani mine should go ahead?”

Analysis by State

Analysis by State shows far more Australians in each State are against the Adani coal mine going ahead than those in favour. Even in the home State of the mine Queensland 50% of respondents are against the mine and just under a third, 32.5%, are in favour of the mine.

When considering only those respondents who have heard of the mine and gave an opinion the opposition is strongest in Victoria (86%), Tasmania (84%) and New South Wales (82%). Residents of the Capital Cities (81%) are also far more opposed than Australians in the Country (70.5%).

Results filtered only to those who’ve heard of the Adani mine and responded to Question 2:
Do you think the Adani mine should go ahead?”

Qualitative Responses to follow up question: “And why do you say that?”

Those who answered No that the Adani mine should not go ahead, brought up the huge environmental damage the project would do to the region including the threat to the Great Barrier Reef. There were also concerns about damaging the prime grazing land of the area and the impacts on the region’s groundwater.

In addition to the environmental impact respondents didn’t want to see more coal mines being built and mined, preferring renewable energy and were against taxpayer money being used to prop up a new mine. Many respondents also referred to the allegedly ‘dubious, perhaps corrupt’ nature of Adani and there were also comments about letting foreign investors own Australian resources at the taxpayer’s cost.

The environmental damage to surrounding areas, the Great Barrier Reef, and groundwater:

“It could potentially be an environmental disaster and the Adani company seems dubious.”

“There’s a massive chance of damage to the Barrier Reef. No taxpayer money should be spent on this.”

“3 things at least: Impact on Great Barrier Reef, impact on Queensland groundwater, carbon emissions.”

“It’ll cause destruction  impacting the entire region for generations. Environmental impact, in terms of damage to local communities and the Reef would far exceed any economic output from the mine.”

“Very destructive to the Great Barrier Reef and it will add to green-house emissions.”

“Because it is environmentally and economically reckless.”

“Massive environmental impact”

“I think the risks to the Great Barrier Reef are too high. No watchdog is going to keep them in check.”

“Detrimental to the environment in particular the Great Barrier Reef.”

The damage to prime grazing and rural land used by farmers:

“I don’t like the rape of the country’s grazing land”

“The threat to the water and food supply from the region, and the environmental threat to the Great Barrier Reef. I also hear Adani is very corrupt.”

“Valuable farming land will be eaten up by the mine and the water table lowered.”

“It will hurt the farmers by using up the water reserves under the soil.”

“It’s great farming area. It could be the food bowl of Australia. Most profits are going out of the country.”

“It’s a risk to the farming land and the water supply and additional environmental damages downstream.”

The waste of taxpayer money on a polluting industry like coal mining was also brought up:

“Coal is a poor investment. Inconsistent with a clean planet and the mine backed by a company who’s nation questions its viability.”

“Surely we have enough coal mines already.”

“Because we need renewable energy not coal.”

“No to mining.”

“We should be investing in renewables, not dirty coal. The world is changing.”

“Don’t trust the Government to protect the environment.”

“Coal is dead. Environmentally its disastrous.”

“Humanity needs to reduce its reliance on coal as a matter of urgency.”

The reputation of Adani doesn’t inspire confidence and handing Aussie resources overseas:

“Company has record of pollution and secreting money in tax havens to avoid its responsibilities.”

“I don’t trust the Adani family company.”

“Adani’s not fit to run the mine.”

“I don’t trust Adani and it isn’t good for Queensland.”

“Untrustworthy company. Environmental damage to the reef is possible and not needed.”

“Because they have a bad record environmentally.”

“The evidence of Adani’s previous projects is horrendous – and we’ve already sold too much of our country and resources to overseas interests.”

Those who answered Yes the Adani mine should go ahead brought up the economic impact – it’ll be good for the economy, local, regional and Australian economy, it’ll bring jobs to the area – jobs was a constant refrain. There was also reference to export income, and more investment for the region and Queensland.

The importance for Australia of retaining a strong mining sector and the strong export dollars the mine will create and the lower energy prices the mine should bring were frequently mentioned. There were also several respondents that said we needed to continue mining coal for cheap energy until reliable renewable – and cheap – alternatives were truly available, which they aren’t yet.

Jobs, jobs, jobs, more jobs. Employment for the region, Queensland, and Australia at large:

”Employment.”

“Job creation is desperately needed in Central Queensland.”

“Good for jobs economy and revenue for the State Government.”

“Jobs for locals.”

“It creates jobs in construction and supportive industries.”

“The jobs are needed in the area.”

“Jobs and income – but the Government needs ongoing oversight.”

“The employment opportunities and exporting dollars.”

“It’s needed for jobs.”

“Employment for the town and the region.”

“Jobs for true Aussie workers.”

“Good for jobs and the economy.”

“Great employment opportunity for Queensland and Australia.”

“Jobs and coal – both desperately needed.”

”Good for employment. Good for investment.”

“It will create no difference to the world warming and create employment opportunities in this country.”

Economic benefits of the mine with increased investment for the region and Queensland:

“Economic development of the region will flow from the project.”

“Coal isn’t evil, the mine will create jobs and wealth for Australia.”

“We need economic growth and job growth.”

“Our country is bankrupt and we need to generate income.”

“North Queensland economy needs more industry.”

Importance of a strong mining sector and the export dollars it brings for the country’s economy:

“It will benefit Australia.”

“jobs jobs jobs, and export income mining royalties.”

“Jobs and investment in the mining industry is important for Australia.”

“It’s important for Australia to maintain our resource industry.”

“There isn’t enough mining being carried out. Seems minorities have all the say!”

“India needs coal. Our coal is good quality. We also need jobs.”

“Because I can’t think of one valid reason why it shouldn’t go ahead.”

Until cheap renewable energy is readily available we need to invest in cheap coal energy:

"We need the job opportunities and of course the money the mine will earn for Australia as long as it’s kept environmentally clean.”

“We need to continue coal powered energy until we have established reliable, renewable alternatives.”

“Because the Federal Government has stuffed up the changeover from coal to renewables we need reliable supply until renewables work more effectively.”

“Australia isn’t ready yet to have a secure power supply without some coal.”

Michele Levine, Chief Executive Officer, Roy Morgan Research, says:

“Australians have come out as overwhelmingly against the Adani coal mine in regional Queensland going ahead – with a more than 3:1 ratio against of those who knew about the mine and had a view on the mine going ahead.

“Even in the home State of Queensland 60.5% of those who had a view on the Adani coal mine were against the mine going ahead compared to only 39.5% in favour of the mine. In other States this result was even more heavily against the mine with 86% of Victorians and 84% of Tasmanians of those who had a view on the mine being against the mine.

“Supporters of all political parties were against the mine going ahead although a significant minority of National supporters (44.5%) and Liberal supporters (39.5%) who had a view on the mine did support the mine going ahead. Both ALP supporters (89% against) and Greens supporters (94% against) were in strong opposition to the proposed mine.

“The most common reasons given for opposing the mine was the environmental damage it would cause to the surrounding land – including farming land and the local water table, and also the downstream negative impact on the environmental health of the Great Barrier Reef.

“There were also significant concerns about the Government investing taxpayers money in coal mining which contributes significantly to carbon dioxide emissions instead of renewable energy and several questioned the ethics of the Adani company itself and whether it was an appropriate company to invest Government money.

“Those in favour of the mine had a simple message – the mine would create jobs, jobs, and more jobs for a region that desperately needs increased economic activity and add to the development of the region, Queensland, and even the broader Australian economy with the export income the mine would earn.”

Finding No. 7364 – This Roy Morgan Snap SMS Survey was conducted in preparation for an appearance on ABCTVs Q&A current affairs program on Monday October 9, 2017 with a representative cross-section of 1,547 Australians aged 18+ over the weekend, Friday October 6 – Sunday October 8, 2017. They were asked “Have you heard of the proposed Adani mine planned for regional Queensland?” IF YES respondents were asked “Do you think the Adani mine should go ahead?” and then asked “And why do you say that?”

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