Poll commissioned by Australian Bankers’ Association finds marginal seat support slipping for Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis’ bank tax

TREASURER Tom Koutsantonis thought his bank tax was a political masterstroke, but yet another poll has found the shock move is sparking a backlash from voters who be critical in deciding the state election.

• Daniel Wills: Masterstroke of mischief? Bank tax bombs
• Bankers’ survey shows early backlash in the marginals
• Sunday Mail-Galaxy poll finds shock tax backlash
• Libs pledge to block $370m state bank tax

SUPPORT for Premier Jay Weatherill’s state bank tax has slid further in marginal seats, as a new Galaxy poll reveals just over a third of respondents now say it should be approved.

The study was commissioned by the Australian Bankers’ Association and covers a clutch of eight seats in Adelaide that are crucial in deciding the result of March’s election.

The number of people who oppose the tax has remained steady at 47 per cent since an identical survey taken last month. The number of people in favour of the tax has fallen from 38 per cent to 34 per cent as the number of undecided voters rises to 19 per cent.

It comes as the ABA also moves to establish a full-time campaign outfit in SA, which will be dedicated to working against the new tax until it is officially voted down and maybe beyond.

The shift follows a month of intense political argument since the surprise measure was unveiled by Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis in the State Budget.

The latest Galaxy Poll has further bad news for the South Australian bank tax.

The move sparked a strong backlash from banks and the broader business sector, as the Government insists their $370 million tax grab is crucial to help balance the Budget and deliver programs aimed at growing jobs in other sectors.

The new poll was conducted on Monday and Tuesday this week, with a sample of 800 voters. The most ferocious opposition is from intending Liberal voters, 69 per cent of whom want the tax stopped.

The polls also indicate people are worried about the tax being passed on. Renters back the tax by a 45-33 margin, while a majority of mortgagees and owners reject it.

An Upper House coalition of the Liberals, Australian Conservatives and Nick Xenophon Team MP John Darley plan to block the tax when debate starts there later this year.

The poll means further pondering for Premier Jay Weatherill and Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis.

Australian Conservatives SA Leader Dennis Hood said it was foolish to think a huge new tax could be brought in and not hit voters’ hip pockets.

“It won’t just be absorbed,” Mr Hood said. “It will affect anyone with superannuation, because bank shares will be affected by this tax, and bank shares are prominent in superannuation funds.”

During a debate in Parliament, Mr Weatherill said: “We are deploying those funds to do good things for jobs and growth in this state”. “The wok-in-a-box economics opposite presumes that this will be passed on,” he said. “It is not backed up by any evidence.”

Australian Bankers’ Association chief executive Anna Bligh said Mr Weatherill had misread the mood and voters felt the tax would hurt SA.

“These is a very strong result from marginal seats and shows opposition to the tax has hardened,” she said.

“The more people hear about it, the more concerned they are.”