2005 Statehood Survey Results
The Northern Territory Statehood Steering Committee undertook a survey between April and November 2005. A total of 1595 people took part in the survey. The survey comprised 10 basic questions related to knowledge and understanding of Statehood issues.
The survey was conducted in the following forums - Fred’s Pass Rural Show; Alice Springs Show; Tennant Creek Show; Katherine Show; Darwin Show; Borroloola Show; as well as participants at information sessions and participants on-line on our website.
Thank you to all who took part.
Further surveys will be conducted over the life of the Statehood Committee.
This survey provides the Committee with a better understanding of what people understand about Statehood in 2005 and how we might provide further information and education about Statehood.
The detailed results of the survey are as follows:
Question 1
Are you comfortable with your level of understanding of what Statehood means?
| Yes | 737 |
46% |
| No | 512 |
32% |
| Not Sure | 327 |
21% |
| Nil Response | 19 |
1% |
Question 2
If you were to receive more information on Statehood, what way would you like to receive it?
453 |
28% |
|
| TV | 315 |
20% |
| Mixed media | 189 |
12% |
| Radio | 145 |
9% |
133 |
8% |
|
| Newspaper | 132 |
8% |
| Total Other Responses | 228 |
15% |
Question 3
Are there issues concerning Statehood about which you would need to be further informed before you would support Statehood?
| Yes | 681 |
43% |
| No | 768 |
48% |
| Nil Response | 146 |
9% |
Most commonly received comments -
Taking the figure of 681 Territorians wanting to know more as the baseline 100%, the highest proportion of those surveyed (20%) want advice on financial issues. “Can we afford it” is a frequently asked question.
135 cited funding, financial and tax issues as important to them (20%) 81people wrote comments such as “I want to know everything” 45 want to know more about parliamentary representation in the Federal Parliament 35 asked what Statehood is; and 20 asked what the difference was with 15 asking what the benefits are 10 people indicated outright they oppose Statehood And a further 16 raised constitutional issues as important. Other individual comments about issues such as speed limits, licence demerit points, fireworks, the cost of living, indigenous issues, land rights, mining royalties, toxic waste and uranium mining were received.
Question 4
Do you believe the Northern Territory has all the same rights as a State already?
| Yes | 213 |
13% |
| No | 1055 |
66% |
| Not Sure | 313 |
20% |
| Nil Response | 14 |
1% |
Question 5
Do you know how many representatives the Northern Territory has in the two houses of the Australian parliament?
| Yes | 724 |
45% |
| No | 855 |
54% |
| Nil Response | 16 |
1% |
Question 6
Does the Northern Territory have its own constitution written by Territorians?
| Yes | 118 |
7% |
| No | 666 |
42% |
| Not Sure | 793 |
50% |
| Nil Response | 18 |
1% |
Question 7
Do you have a good understanding of financial relationships between the Northern Territory and Australian Governments?
| Yes | 507 |
32% |
| No | 1071 |
67% |
| Nil Response | 17 |
1% |
Question 8
Do you believe the Northern Territory would be worse off financially if it were a State?
| Yes | 299 |
19% |
| No | 603 |
38% |
| Not Sure | 679 |
43% |
| Nil Response | 14 |
<1% |
Question 9
If the Northern Territory becomes a State do you want to change the name?
| Yes | 195 |
12% |
| No | 1353 |
85% |
| Nil Response | 47 |
3% |
Question 10
Do you want to receive information from the Statehood Steering Committee?
| Yes | 700 |
44% |
| No and No Response | 895 |
56% |
Note - percentage figures are rounded, where appropriate, to the nearest full digit.