The Mercury’s Big Issues Survey reveals the Apple Isle is also the Isle of Smiles

Tasmanian are feeling positive about the world, happy with their lives and are even becoming more happy with our politicians — but are finding less enjoyment with work, according to the Mercury’s Big Summer Survey.

Smiling parents with children at beach.

Tasmanians are feeling positive about the world, happy with their lives and are even becoming more happy with our politicians — but are finding less enjoyment from their work, according to the Mercury’s Big Issues Survey.

There have been more than 1,200 responses to the survey so far — and we want to hear from you.

An analysis of similar surveys carried out in 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023 reveals some interesting trends.

Preliminary results for 2023 reveal Mercury readers are now more likely to say the state government is handling the economy well, more likely to believe the government is open and transparent and are even reporting that they have more faith in politicians.

Tasmanians report being happy with their lives, and even happy with our politicians. Generic photo

More than 90 per cent of Tasmanians report being happy, a figure that has stayed stable throughout the four editions of the survey.

But the number of people reporting being happy with their job has dropped sharply after the pandemic, from 84 per cent in 2019 to 51 per cent now among those who have responded to date.

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We’ll run stories with the detailed findings of the survey once the final results are in.

Support for the proposed AFL stadium at Macquarie has increased significantly, although there is division between those in favour of the government’s vision and the Macquarie Point 2.0 plan.

Among the other long-term issues, support for the UTAS move into the CBD has fallen, as has support for the Mt Wellington cable car proposal. The finals figures will no doubt be a topic of earnest discussion.

Some of the most interesting entries can be found in the free-form responses, where readers are encouraged to have their say.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Some are strongly supportive of the state government, while Premier Jeremy Rockliff receiving marks for persistence in the face of a difficult year.

“The Rockliff government is innovative and has vision. The premier has steered a steady ship under very difficult circumstances,” said one commenter.

“I think Premier Rockliff has done an excellent job in leading the state,” said another.

“While Jeremy Rockliff is the Premier the state will continue to thrive,” said a third.

But there were dissenting voices: “the minority Liberal Rockliff government is totally dysfunctional, secretive and arrogant and should call an early election.

Some comments left by those completing the survey took a “pox on both your houses” approach. among them:

* “Government is incompetent and opposition is weak,” said one.

* “Terrible Government and Opposition Labor lacks leadership and policy direction.”

* “I am very disillusioned with our State Government and opposition.”

* “Very opaque and secretive govt. Lack of talent. Don’t like the way Libs support development in areas which should remain pristine. Rocky leading a leaking ship but Labor is a weak alternative.”

The survey is open for responses until the new year.

Originally published as The Mercury’s Big Issues Survey reveals the Apple Isle is also the Isle of Smiles