Seniors do favour the coalition
Despite National Seniors Australia (NSA) chief executive saying that older voters did not vote as a bloc and “there would be a broad split similar to the rest of the community”, pollsters said that older voters historically favoured the opposition.
The Australian newspaper reported on the controversy surrounding leaks that Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, had questioned pension increases, and said that older voters did not vote Labor.
The Prime Minister has denied saying this, and NSA chief executive, Michael O’Neill, says that he would expect any cabinet minister to question any major expenditure that came before them.
“But where I would sound a note of caution is if it were thought any political or voting pattern might influence a decision.”
“That would clearly be disturbing for older Australians.”
Mr O’Neill said seniors did not vote as a bloc; “There would be a broad split similar to the rest of the community”.
Newspoll chief executive officer, Martin O’Shannassy, said older voters historically favoured the coalition.
“Latest Newspoll figures from April to June this year show 45% of over 50s support the coalition compared with 37% for Labor.”
“But whatever side they vote for, older voters have generally locked into a voting pattern by the time they reach 50.”
However, Mr O’Neill said that his organisation’s research had shown grey voters were more volatile in their voting behaviour than in previous generations and that one in five older voters were willing to change their vote over health issues.
