A new ReachTEL poll of over 2,181 Queenslanders, commissioned by The Australia Institute, has found strong support for Queensland parties choosing to veto a federal subsidised loan for the Adani coal project.

To accompany the polling (full results in PDF below), The Australia Institute has also released new research on the economic case for the veto.

“The veto of the loan to Adani is a win for North Queensland as the decision frees up funding to support other projects already in the pipeline across other industries that are more jobs rich and more sustainable,” Executive Director of The Australia Institute, Ben Oquist said.

“Our research finds mining is extremely capital intensive, requiring fewer workers than all other industries. What’s more, Adani’s jobs claims are systematically overblown, as Adani’s own economist admitted under oath in court.

“The Productivity Commission’s analysis found no economic basis for taxpayer support to mining.

Given the choice, only 21% said Adani should get the loan. 63% said the funding should go to other projects, including majorities of voters for all parties. 61% said Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls should make the same decision as Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and stop Adani from getting the loan. Only 21% said he should promise to give Adani the loan.

North Queenslanders, like the rest of the state, and indeed the rest of Australia opposed the Adani loan.

Clear majorities of undecided, One Nation and other minor party voters backed a Nicholls veto decision, and more LNP voters supported than opposed this decision.

“Whatever people think about the mine, it is clear that Queenslanders overwhelmingly oppose taxpayer subsidy to support its construction.”

“The Queensland government’s role in the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility means it is able to redirect this money away from Adani into other projects, in industries like tourism, agriculture and renewable energy.

“It makes good economic sense, and this poll shows it makes good political sense as well,” Oquist said.

Research note: Redirecting Adani’s NAIF Loan into Other Industries

2,181 residents across households in Queensland were surveyed by ReachTEL during the evening of 13th November 2017.

Question: Adani has asked for a taxpayer funded subsidised loan of one billion dollars to support its coal mine and railway project. If Adani does not receive this funding, it could become available for other Queensland industries like agriculture, tourism and renewable energy. Of the following, which would you prefer these funds be directed to?

Question: Do you believe that the Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls should make the same promise as Premier Palaszczuk to stop Adani from getting the taxpayer loan, or should he promise to give the loan to Adani?