Polling in key Liberal and National Party seats shows strong opposition to reducing Sunday penalty rates for retail workers, according to new ReachTEL polling commissioned by The Australia Institute.

Polling conducted across the electorates of Page, New England, Warringah and Dickson on 17th December shows that between 65% and 79% of people in these electorates want Sunday penalty rates in the retail industry kept the same or increased.

“The research underscores the political difficulty any Government faces if they allow Sunday penalty rates to be cut,” said Ben Oquist, Executive Director of The Australia Institute.

“Furthermore the consequences for lowering Sunday penalty rates for the macro economy need to be considered. Lowering the take-home pay for many low paid employees, who are more likely to spend most of their income, could lower the amount of spending in the economy with negative flow on effects for economic growth and employment,” said Mr Oquist.

“Many of the policies being pursued by the conservative wing of the Liberal Party, like the push to reduce penalty rates, are unpopular with the wider electorate, including their own constituents.

“This research indicates it would be wise for Malcom Turnbull to ignore the pleas of those conservative MPs in his ranks, who risk being an electoral liability for the new Prime Minister,” said Mr Oquist.