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Exclusive ReachTEL poll reveals government has a lot of ground to make up

An exclusive 7News ReachTEL poll has discovered that only five percent of voters are optimistic about this year’s budget.

Most are convinced they'll be either worse off or about the same financially.

The results come just two weeks before Treasurer Joe Hockey hits the reset button on the government’s economic agenda.

The poll shows just how much work Mr Hockey has to do to win back voter support with his second budget.

But even Coalition supporters are pessimistic, with only nine percent believing they will be better off.

However, there is some good news for the government on tax.

The majority of those polled support increased superannuation taxes for the wealthy, as well as for the so-called Netflix tax, imposing GST on online purchases.

"What we're very determined to do in addressing the big picture of the budget is to put the whole budget settings on a more sustainable footing,” Simon Birmingham, Assistant Minister for Education said.

But the government is again likely to face resistance in key areas from the Senate crossbench.

Shadow Minister for Superannuation Bernie Ripoll says Labor could oppose the budget measures.

"We'll see what comes out of the budget and we'll see what the government actually wants to do in terms of hitting the hip-pockets of ordinary Australians."

The 7News ReachTEL poll shows the government has a lot of ground to make up.

The major parties remain close on primary votes, but with the Greens at almost 12 percent, Labor maintains a 54-46 lead after preferences.

The poll trend shows Labor cementing a commanding gap over the past eight months.

National news break – April 27/region