Backing for Senate poll re-run
Most people believe West Australians should get a new Senate election with many set to change their vote - and the result.
A survey of more than 1400 people for the Australia Institute found little support for the arguments of the big parties in the High Court.
The court will soon decide whether to back the electoral commission and void September's Senate vote in WA after 1370 ballots went missing.
The original count gave the Liberals three senators, Labor two and the Palmer United Party one.
But a re-count gave Labor one senator, with the Greens and the Sports Party getting one each.
The survey found 55 per cent believed a new poll was needed.
Just 17 per cent backed the recount result, 13 per cent said the original count should stand and 15 per cent did not know.
Institute executive director Richard Denniss said it was stunning such a big majority wanted a new election.
"I would have thought people were sick of elections but this clearly shows most Australians want to make sure they get the right result," he said.
A question directed only at West Australians suggested a new vote would yield different results.
Though 58 per cent said they would vote the same way, 13 per cent said they would not and 29 per cent were unsure.
A 13 per cent change could dramatically change the result and likely make it more difficult for the Abbott Government to pass legislation in the Senate.
Dr Denniss said that because so many people might switch their vote was one reason the Liberal Party did not want a re-run.
He said there was little to gain and a seat to lose for the Liberals with the Abbott and Barnett governments now less popular.
