'Public back livelihood moves, still dislike govt'

Robert Chung (right) says people's positive feelings over new livelihood measures were neutralised by a negative response to a delayed IPCC report: Photo: RTHK

Pollster Robert Chung says the government's announcement of new livelihood measures this week has generally gone down well with the public, but the move hasn't made the people any happier with the administration.



Just under half of the respondents to a survey of about a thousand people by Chung's Public Opinion Research Institute said they support the government's measures, which include discounted public transport for the over 60s, and higher payments under the Old Age Living Allowance.



Around a quarter of those surveyed said the initiatives have changed their opinion of the government for the better. However, around the same amount said they now like the administration even less.



Chung said any good feelings brought about by the package of measures may have been wiped out by news that a report by the Independent Police Complaints Council into the city's unrest is being delayed indefinitely.



"This has been a very dominant demand, or request, from the public over the past months and people are waiting to see what will happen," he said.



"The government, and especially the Chief Executive, have been asking us to wait and see what the IPCC has to release and then she [Carrie Lam] will follow up. Maybe with a review committee, maybe with something else ... so I think this little incident could be big enough to neutralise all the positive effects of the so-called new initiatives."