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New polling of the electorate of Indi shows that independent Cathy McGowan holds a small lead over Liberal Sophie Mirabella.

The polling of 656 residents of Indi was conducted by ReachTEL in March 2016. (full results below)

Cathy McGowan’s support tallied 37.3% of respondents, while Sophie Mirabella polled at 26.9%. Based on a similar preference flow to the 2013 election, McGowan would be returned if the polling results were to be replicated in the election later this year.

The poll also asked Indi residents their opinion on funding for the ABC. 63.8% of respondents supported increased funding for the ABC if the money was used to provide additional news services in rural and regional Australia.

While that support was strongest amongst those intending to vote for McGowan, even the majority of Mirabella supporters were in favour of increased ABC funding.

There was also high support for increased funding for the national broadcaster amongst National Party voters, which is consistent with the finding of The Australia Institute’s report, Heartland, which found very high support in regional Australia, in particular in National-held electorates.

POLLING RESULTS

ReachTEL conducted a survey of 656 residents across Indi during the evening of 10^th March 2016.

Question 1: If a federal election were to be held today which of the following would receive your first preference vote?

	Total	Female	Male	18 – 34	35 – 50	51 – 65	65+
Independent – Cathy McGowan MP	37.3%	38.6%	36.2%	30.3%	35.3%	47.8%	34.2%
Liberal – Sophie Mirabella	26.9%	26.3%	27.3%	16.4%	26.8%	24.2%	41.7%
The Nationals – Marty Corboy	10.6%	7.4%	14.0%	7.4%	13.1%	10.8%	10.0%
Labor – Eric Kerr	8.8%	9.1%	8.5%	13.9%	7.2%	10.2%	3.3%
The Greens – Jenny O’Connor	5.4%	6.7%	4.1%	12.3%	5.9%	2.5%	0.8%
Other / Independent	3.5%	2.1%	4.8%	4.1%	4.6%	1.3%	4.2%
Undecided	7.6%	9.8%	5.2%	15.6%	7.2%	3.2%	5.8%

Question 1a: Being undecided to which do you have even a slight leaning?

	Total
Independent – Cathy McGowan MP	24.0%
Liberal – Sophie Mirabella	27.0%
The Nationals – Marty Corboy	3.0%
Labor – Eric Kerr	20.9%
The Greens – Jenny O’Connor	5.6%
Other / Independent	19.5%

Note: Only respondents who answered ‘Undecided’ to Question 1 were asked Question 1a

Question 2:

Would you support increased funding for the ABC if the money was used to provide additional news services in rural and regional Australia?

	Total	Female	Male	18 – 34	35 – 50	51 – 65	65+
Support	63.8%	68.1%	59.4%	62.1%	62.3%	67.7%	61.5%
Oppose	22.8%	19.3%	26.6%	22.6%	24.7%	18.4%	27.0%
Undecided	13.3%	12.6%	14.0%	15.3%	13.0%	13.9%	11.5%

	Total	Ind – McGowan	Liberal	Nationals	Undecided
Support	63.8%	77.3%	47.0%	51.7%	51.2%
Oppose	22.8%	11.6%	39.6%	32.8%	27.9%
Undecided	13.3%	11.1%	13.4%	15.5%	20.9%