Small business voting change of heart

The Coalition has successfully managed to wrestle votes from Labor as business owners swing back to the Coalition, a SmartCompany poll reveals today.

The poll of 445 small and medium business owners taken on Friday and Monday shows that 60% will vote for the Coalition.

A poll carried out in August showed that only 51% intended to vote for the Coalition. And the votes have come from Labor, with only 29% intending to vote for Labor compared to 35% in August.

Read the full story here.

The poll also reveals that the top issues that have not been addressed by either party are climate change/environment (19%), followed by SME concerns, tax, industrial relations, health and infrastructure and the economy.

Comments from business owners reveal that many are unhappy with John Howard. However as the clock ticks down to the election, the uncertainty of a Labor government, particularly given industrial relations, unions and “Labor dominance in state and federal governments” has proved enough to shift some back to the Coalition.

The overwhelming picture though is of a sector that is not happy with either party and wants a vision that does not only address interest rates, infrastructure and tax, but also climate change and health.

For more on the election:

>>The 2007 federal election – a guide for SMEs