The Australia institute surveyed voters in Queensland and South Australia about whether they wanted personal income tax cuts, or preferred increased spending on health and education.  A majority in each said they wanted more money dedicated to education and health.

The progressive group had ReachTEL conduct a telephone poll of 1,217 Queenslanders and 1,077 South Australians.  People were told "both the government and opposition are considering offering the promise of personal income tax cuts at the next election", and then asked how they wanted "to see government revenue spent?"

The poll found that 49.2 percent of Queenslanders wanted more education and health spending, while only 18.8 wanted income tax cuts.  More than half of the South Australians quizzed, 53 percent, wanted greater public investment in those things that are proven winners for society, and only 17.1 percent prioritized paying less of their income to the common good.

Australian Institute executive director Ben Oquist says the "political orthodoxy" on spending and tax cuts has changed.

"The collapse of the case for a GST increase was actually a collapse in the economic case for tax cuts," said Mr. Oquist, "And it appears the public is wise to this fact."