Voters' views on the federal Budget: no longer 'relaxed and comfortable'

A common view was that there is a "failure to address skills shortages and infrastructure development".

A number of voters linked their concerns about the lack of infrastructure investment directly with tax reform, arguing that rather than tax cuts the funds should have been spent on infrastructure.

Other voters who had concerns about tax reform argued for additional tax cuts.

• "Should have cut the personal tax rates closer to company tax rate. No tax reforms in the budget, just handouts."
• "Personally, I am happy with the tax cuts however there needs to be further reform to taxation."
• "Failure to tackle tax reform. Tax cuts for most workers are illusory, especially if interest rates are forced to rise."
• "The tax cuts did not give the ordinary Australian much of a tax break."

And "tax reform not done properly" was a not uncommon sentiment, particularly with Coalition voters.

Notably again this year, voters were less comfortable about the direction of the country when it came to social and cultural issues. In fact, many thought the country was headed in the wrong direction because of these issues.

In general terms, inequality was a common theme.

• "This current - Federal Government isn't governing for all. The gap between the rich and poor is widening."
• "The poor and disadvantaged are being imposed upon by the appeal to the greed of the wealthy."
• "Targeting people on disability pensions and single parents to be cut" was also a concern of many swinging voters unhappy with the direction of the country.
• "Some directions are OK but the focus on materialism to the exclusion of all else is really starting to worry me."

Values, truth in government and community divisiveness were also strongly reoccurring themes from many swinging voters unhappy with the direction of the country.

• "Australia has become a mean country."
• "We are becoming less accepting and more fearful."
• "Our PM lies and thinks it doesn't matter. We are becoming a compassionless society under his leadership."
• "Deception by politicians is setting a bad example to all Australians."
• "Politicians are not accountable for the lies they make at election time."
• "Australia is going backwards in many ways, treatment of Aboriginals people, refugees, detainees, human rights, women, multicultural issues. We have lost our identity and focus and we are splintered as a nation"

Australia's foreign policy position again registered as an issue for some voters, but the views were not as prominent as last year.

• "Australia is drawing closer to the American way of life, loosing its unique qualities in favour of junk culture and values."
• "Too closely aligned with the US. Howard is a lap dog of Bush. We should be friendly to all countries without being subservient."