New poll: Support for postponed petrol price rises - but only 1% back relief plan for emitters

A new nationwide poll taken since Tuesday night shows New Zealanders like the Government's major announcements this week to postpone an emissions price on their fuel use – and to phase in regional fuel taxes.

However, the support for the fuel tax deferments policy turns into opposition if it means less money is available for personal tax cuts and social spending (like benefits, education and health.

And only 1% support the current policy of taxpayers' covering the cost of 90% of businesses' emissions at 2005 levels until 2017 (previously 2012), before support phases out.

Most don't want to give emitters assistance for an extra five years, phasing out by 2030, as the new policy provides for.

The snap ShapeNZ national poll of 2034 respondents, taken between 11.30pm on May 6 and 2pm May 8, has a maximum margin of error 2.2% and provides a representative sample of the population.

The poll is continuing at www.shapenz.org.nz , the online research service operated by the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development.

The emissions and fuel tax survey shows concern about climate change remains high at 79% (82% in February this year), more New Zealanders want the country to be a global leader on climate change (48%) compared with moving at the same pace as other countries (38%) or doing little or as little as possible (11%).

New Zealanders overwhelmingly agree that there should be an emissions trading scheme (57% support, 29% disagree and 13% don't know), and that large emitters should pay the proposed new price on carbon (70% support, up from 64% in February).

They also agree 64% to 16% that large emitters should be given additional emissions credits to shelter them from overseas competitors where they do not face a price on carbon.

However, they part company with the Government and large emitters when it comes to who should pay for this assistance and for how long.

Most don't want to provide assistance (18%) or want to phase it out by 2020 (30%) – a total of 48%.

38% believe assistance should continue until overseas competitors are paying a price on carbon.

Only 3% want assistance to run until 2025 (the proposed end date until Tuesday's announcement), and only 1% want it extended to 2030 (the new policy).

Asked who should pay the emission credit bill between 2008 and 2012:
• 51% want emitters to pay it all
• 2% think taxpayers should pick up the whole cost

Only 1% think taxpayers should pick up 95% of the cost and emitters 5% during this first four year-period of the emissions trading scheme, which is the effect of the Government's new policy.

More respondents agree (64%) than disagree (14%) with the statement that taxpayers will still bear the cost if the Government postpones imposing the full price of emissions on emitters.

However, fewer seem to realise postponing the carbon price on fuel for two years (from 2009 to 2011) means taxpayers will keep paying for this much longer, not those responsible for emissions: 49% agree that is true and 21% say it is false. A large 31% don't know.

They also oppose the overall policy of allowing regional councils to impose a regional fuel tax of up to 10c per litre (52% against to 33% for) to fund transport projects which would otherwise not attract funding within the timeframes regions might desire.

They support this week's new policy requiring councils to phase in any regional fuel tax (50% support, 36% oppose, 14% don't know).

However, that support also evaporates if its impact means delaying transport projects to improve roads, rail, ferry and bus services: If that happens, 48% would oppose the new policy and 31% support it. 21% don't know.

This week's climate change policy moves appear to have given Labour a slight boost as the preferred party to manage climate change.

Asked which of the two main political parties would be best to manage climate change, 34% nominate Labour, 30% National. That is a 2% jump for Labour and 4% drop for National since February. Don't knows remain unchanged at 36%.

Business Council Chief Executive Peter Neilson says the research shows New Zealanders are adamant action is needed on climate change, the emissions trading scheme is needed and it will work to lower emissions. However there is still considerable debate over who should pay – and a desire to make sure taxpayers pay as little as possible and for as short a time as possible, consistent with not exposing our large emitters to unfair overseas competition.

"Kiwis know they are paying one way or another. They'd prefer it was someone else. They naturally welcome postponement of fuel price rises – but they present decision makers with a real problem if it means they won't get their tax cuts.

"Again it shows the tough balancing act and strong leadership that is required to do what we all know is needed in the long term to manage climate change effectively and to preserve our quality life and trading position."