Health, economy Tasmanian election's key issues, poll suggests

If correct, the polling indicates the Liberals might not get the widely expected election day bounce from Premier Peter Gutwein's popular response to the pandemic, despite past polling showing a big rise in government support during the period.

It also suggests Tasmania's strong economic rebound from the coronavirus recession - weakness in North-West job numbers aside - should be a key focus for the Liberals, and that Labor's strong emphasis on the health "crisis" is smart politically.

IN OTHER NEWS:

The uComms polling for the Tasmanian Small Business Council showed 35.4 per cent of respondents statewide nominated health as the most important of six nominated issues when deciding who to vote for.

The economy and jobs was second with 32.1 per cent, miles ahead of third-ranked cost of living (11.8 per cent) and fourth-placed education (9.6 per cent).

COVID-19 response came in fifth (7.1 per cent), followed by roads (3.9 per cent).

Respondents did not get the chance to nominate other issues, including environment.

The polling showed a vastly different mindset in Hobart seat Clark than in the rest of the state.

The economy and jobs was the key issue for 30 per cent or more of respondents in each of Braddon, Bass, Lyons and Franklin (where it peaked at 41.5 per cent).

In public service-heavy Clark, it was 17.7 per cent, with health at 45.3 per cent.

Tasmanian Small Business Council chief executive Robert Mallett said the polling showed " ... the health of our community and the health of our economy are the driving factors for voters".

"The TSBC notes that both Labor and the Liberals have made significant health commitments worth hundreds of millions of dollars and we expect the next government to focus on fixing the health system as a key priority.

"However, the health of our economy is also very important, according to Tasmanians.

"We would like to see both parties commit to significant support for the small business sector just as they are committing to support the healthcare sector."

"We are calling for tax reform, a voice for small business as part of any reform of TAFE, abolition of the grossly unfair energy cross subsidy paid exclusively by the small business sector, more transparency in government contracts and a greater focus on regulatory reform.

"All of these issues are vital to ensuring the small business sector can continue to recover from COVID, create more jobs, support the community and drive the economic recovery.

"These sensible small business-focused policies will not cost as much as the health promises will, but they are clearly very important to the business sector and the broader community too."

The polling was done on April 19, with 1216 respondents.

There was a roughly even split between the five electorates.