Article by Brendan Kearns, courtesy of The Daily Telegraph.
08.09.2025
A new national poll reveals 45 per cent of Australians believe Canberra decision-makers do not understand the needs of regional Australia.
The Dynata poll commissioned by the Institute of Public Affairs surveyed 1009 Australians and found while 32 per cent of Australians believed politicians and public servants in Canberra understood regional needs, 45 per cent of those surveyed disagreed.
It comes after the Herald Sun’s Bush Summit, which saw Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan heckled by angry farmers.
IPA deputy executive director and ex-Liberal candidate Daniel Wild said the data showed Australians “overwhelmingly” understood the contribution of regional and rural communities, and have “issued a clarion call” for political leaders to do more for the regions.
“Australians intrinsically understand that our regions are the heart and soul of our nation, as well as the engine room of our economy,” Mr Wild said.
“The wealth created in our rural and regional areas lifts the nation up and pays for the infrastructure and services we rely on.”
The poll also surveyed Australians’ perceptions of the resources sector, a key employer in regional areas.
A total of 74 per cent either agreed or strongly agreed the sector was critical to the nation’s future success, while 65 per cent agreed that government revenue from the sector had benefited the community.
The data – collected between August 9 and 10 – also gauged whether people thought farmers, food producers and the mining sector were under-appreciated.
More than three-quarters of those surveyed agreed or strongly agreed with that statement, which Mr Wild said showed there was mainstream support to “back the bush”.
“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,” he said. “Our leaders should heed the call of mainstream Australians and back the bush.”
The National Bush Summit event, held in Ballarat, celebrates regional Australia while investigating the problems those living in the country face and pushing for solutions.
Key themes this year included tackling the drought crisis and improving infrastructure in the regions, with the state and federal governments conceding they needed to consult more intensely with farmers upset about energy projects on their land.
