CPA Australia 2010 Federal Election Poll

1. CPA Australia2010 Federal Election Poll • 2nd August 2010

2. Objectives and Methodology Objective • The poll gives members a chance to tell CPA Australia what they think are the most important issues facing the Australian economy over the next three years, what area of tax reform should have the highest priority and where the government should devote additional resources and spending. Methodology • A link to an online survey was included in the weekly CPA Update e-newsletter and also in the weekly CPA Australia Tax News e-newsletter. • In total there were 1,469 members who responded to the poll.

3. Demographics Current work sector Membership status

4. Important issues facing the economy • Overall, according to respondents, the most important issue facing the economy over the next three years is reducing inefficiencies in the tax system at both the state and federal level. Also of importance to many was investing in road and rail infrastructure. • Of less importance was reducing the company tax rate and incentives for R&D. Which of the following do you see as the most important issues facing the economy over the next three years? (n = 1,469) (Please select all that apply)

5. Important issues facing the economy – by sector • Respondents working in SMEs or Public Practice were more likely to mention “reducing the regulatory burden on business” compared to those in the public sector and academia. Conversely those in the public sector and academia were more likely to mention “putting a price on carbon emissions”. • Access to and the cost of finance was seen as being of particular importance to respondents from Public Practice and SMEs. The state of the global economy was seen as an important issue facing the economy by 53% of respondents from a large corporate organisation. Continued on next slide → Which of the following do you see as the most important issues facing the economy over the next three years? (Please select all that apply)

6. Important issues facing the economy – by sector • 44% of those working in the public sector and 48% in academia feel that skills shortages is an important issue facing the economy compared to only 30% of those in Public Practice. • Unsurprisingly, three quarters (74%) of members in academia believe increasing the level of investment in higher education as an important issue facing the economy over the next three years. Which of the following do you see as the most important issues facing the economy over the next three years? (Please select all that apply)

7. Tax reform priorities for the next government • The aspects of tax reform that should be of the highest priority for the next government (according to respondents) are personal tax reform and also state tax reform via inter-governmental agreements. • Increasing the GST and reducing the company tax rate were not seen as being the highest priority. What aspect of tax reform do you think should be of the highest priority for the next government? (n = 1,469)(Select ONE option only)

8. Tax reform priorities for the next government- by sector • Respondents working in large corporate organisations were less likely to indicate that state tax reform was of the highest priority for the next government. However, they were more likely, than those from other sectors, to indicate that a reduction in the company tax rate was of highest priority. What aspect of tax reform do you think should be of the highest priority for the next government?(Select ONE option only)

9. Government spending ‘moving forward’ • At least two-thirds of all respondents indicated that the next government should increase the investment in public transport and government infrastructure spending on roads, rail and ports. • Around half (48%) of respondents felt that there needed to be increased spending on a world class education and training system, whilst only 33% wanted more spending on a world class broadband system (24% wanted the next government to decrease spending in this area). Looking at the areas below, would you want the next government to increase spending, maintain spending or decrease spending in that area? (n = 1,469)