But the treatment of women is not driving voter choice to the same degree as other big policy questions,casting doubt on whether the ferocious debate will have a defining impact on the next federal election.
The findings,in a new survey byThe Sydney Morning Herald andThe Age with research company Resolve Strategic,show that issues such as sexual harassment,assault and gender equity are named as important by only 5 per cent of voters.
This includes 3 per cent who named the issues as the “most important” for them in deciding their votes,according to a survey of 2006 voters online and by telephone earlier this month.
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The Resolve Political Monitor asked people an open-ended question so they could nominate up to three influences on their vote,with the results showing 26 per cent named the economy and 16 per cent named health and aged care.
The monitor found 16 per cent named COVID-19 while 13 per cent named employment issues,12 per cent named social issues,11 per cent named the cost of living and 11 per cent named climate change.
After two months of intense coverage of the alleged rape of former government adviser Brittany Higgins and the rape allegation against Industry Minister Christian Porter,the results suggest many voters see the issue as a problem for all parties.