Why 70% of Australians Want State-Backed Clean Manufacturing

Seven out of 10 Australians back government spending on renewable energy to power manufacturing facilities cheaply, a new poll shows. Less than a quarter of respondents believe the privatisation of the energy sector has helped the nation.

The survey, conducted by the Australia Institute, found that public support for government involvement in clean energy infrastructure remains high even as the political debate around the country's energy transition intensifies. The poll of 1,000 voters showed 71% support for direct government investment in renewable generation tied to manufacturing, with just 12% opposed.

Support crossed party lines. Among Coalition voters, 58% backed the idea. Among Labor and Greens voters, the figure rose to 80% and 85% respectively.

The finding comes as the federal government pushes its Future Made in Australia agenda, which includes tax incentives and direct grants for green hydrogen, critical minerals processing, and solar panel manufacturing. The policy framework relies on public investment to lower electricity costs for industrial users, a model the poll suggests has broad public backing.

Only 23% of respondents said energy privatisation had been good for Australia. The electricity sector was largely privatised in Victoria, South Australia, and New South Wales between the mid-1990s and early 2010s. Queensland, Tasmania, and Western Australia retained state-owned generators and networks.