'; ?> July 2012 | What The People Want
July 2012
What public servants say about public service cuts
Sunday, 22 July 2012 18:23 | Written by Graham Young

In the responses to our poll on reducing the size of the public service we had a number of respondents who identified themselves as current or former public servants. I thought their forthrightness should be rewarded by dedicating a separate post to them.

 
How strong is support for decreasing the size of the public service?
Saturday, 21 July 2012 23:29 | Written by Graham Young

For last week's Party Games I polled on the Queensland government's policy of cutting the public service by 20,000. The results were interesting. Even though our sample seemed to lean to the left only 35% were opposed to down-sizing, versus 52% in favour and 11% neutral. That's a reasonably strong position for the government.

 
How do you feel about paying?
Sunday, 15 July 2012 18:00 | Written by Graham Young

Those supporting the G20 conference coming to Brisbane were generally enthusiastic enough about it that they would pay a quarter to a half of the amount because they saw great benefits. Those who didn't support it focussed on the state of the Queensland government finances, and also that Queensland's government hadn't asked for the conference.

 
How people feel about having the G20
Saturday, 14 July 2012 17:31 | Written by Graham Young

My favourite qualitative response was from one 45-54 year old living in the Western Suburbs of Brisbane somewhere who said:

Promotes Brisbane as a city and I do not have to travel so far to protest. A great pity G20 members are so stuck on maintaining the status quo that greed is good and unwilling to committ to serious systemic reform of financial and democratic institutions.
 
Queensland luke warm on G20 Summit
Saturday, 14 July 2012 16:14 | Written by Graham Young

I thought that Julia Gillard awarding to the G20 Summit to Brisbane was actually a bit of a coup, but it seems that while I'm not on my own, there's almost as many disagree with me as agree, and neither group makes it to 50%.