“Australians still overwhelmingly understand the vital contribution of our regional and rural communities, and their industries, to our nation. They have issued a clarion call to Australia’s political leaders to do more to back in the bush,” said Daniel Wild, Deputy Executive Director of the Institute of Public Affairs.
New IPA polling surveyed the attitudes of Australians to regional Australia to coincide with the Bush Summit series. The polling was undertaken by independent marketing research firm Dynata of a nationally representative sample of 1,009 Australians with a margin of error of 3.1%. The polling found:
- 74 per cent believe mining and the resources sector is critical to our nation’s future success.
- This is up from 67 per cent in 2024, and 70 per cent in 2023.
- 65 per cent believe government revenue provided by the resources sector has benefited the whole community through the funding of schools, roads, and hospitals.
- This is up from 64 per cent in 2024, and 61 per cent in 2023.
- 52 per cent believe farming has a positive impact on the environment, while just 14 per cent believe farming has a negative impact on the environment.
“Australians intrinsically understand that our regions are the heart and soul of our nation, as well as the engine room of our economy. The wealth created in our rural and regional areas lifts the nation up and pays for the infrastructure and services we rely on,” Mr Wild said.
However, revealingly, just 32 per cent of Australians believe decision makers from Canberra, such as politicians and public servants, understand the needs of regional Australians.
“That less than a third of Australians believe Canberra understands the needs of regional Australia is hardly surprising given the never-ending barrage of red tape and regulations imposed on regional industry every year by governments,” Mr Wild said.
Encouragingly, young Australians have a deep appreciation of the importance of regional Australia. The poll found of 18–24-year-olds:
- 80 per cent agreed that government revenue provided by the resources sector has benefited the whole community through the funding of schools, roads, and hospitals.
- This is above the overall average of 65 per cent.
- 72 per cent believe the mining and resources sector is critical to our nation’s future success.
- This is consistent with the overall average of 74 per cent.
- 83 per cent believe farmers, food producers, and Australia’s mining sector are under-appreciated.
- This is above the overall average of 77 per cent.
“Mainstream Australians understand and appreciate the vital contribution our regions make to the nation. Yet too often our leaders in Canberra impose costly, divisive and city-focused policies on regional communities, threatening their future,” Mr Wild said
“Today, far too many communities in regional Australia are under threat from projects and policies, such as net zero, that will destroy farms, communities and our vital agriculture and resource sectors.”
“Our leaders should heed the call of mainstream Australians and back the bush,” Mr Wild said.
To download the IPA’s Attitudes towards rural and regional Australia poll 2025 click here.
