Poll suggests support for ETS high in PUP states

A new ReachTEL poll has found more than 81% of residents in states represented by Palmer United Party (PUP) senators would support the new Senate negotiating a move to an emissions trading scheme (ETS), if the carbon tax is repealed.

A majority (51.6%) is in support of the move happening straight away.

The poll of 3,619 residents was conducted across those states represented by PUP senators – Tasmania, Western Australia, Queensland and Victoria – on Monday the 30th of June and also revealed that:

· 83.3% say it’s important that the Government meet its promise to cut carbon emissions of between 5 – 25% by the year 2020.

· Four out of five people (79.6%) think it important that the Government takes action to address global warming.

· Two-thirds (66.4%) prefer a scheme where companies, not taxpayers, pay for emitting carbon pollution.

· Only 14.1% think that the Renewable Energy Target (RET) should be decreased.

WWF-Australia National Manager for Climate Change Kellie Caught said the poll provided important information for the new cross bench senators.

Ms Caught said, “We know that PUP senators and Senators Muir and Madigan are still fine-tuning their positions on the fate of carbon pricing in Australia. The polling shows that PUP Senators and other cross bench Senators would have the support of their constituents to negotiate the move to an ETS straight away.”