Most Australians are in favour of the establishment of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) to stimulate economic growth in Northern Australia, new research shows.

In a Galaxy poll conducted for the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA), 60 per cent of Australians have said that they want an SEZ, which could include measures to encourage investment such as reducing fringe benefits and payroll tax; securing property rights; and reducing regulatory duplication across all jurisdictions.

Director of the North Australia Project at the IPA, Hugh Tobin, said that it was clear that Australians wanted government to show vision and establish a low tax, low regulation zone across Northern Queensland, the Northern Territory and Northern Western Australia.

The results follow other recent polling commissioned by the IPA which found that 60 per cent of Australians thought that Canberra was out of touch with the needs of Northern Australians.

‘The mining boom has the potential to improve infrastructure, the cost of living and the availability of housing in Northern Australia. But the government must ensure that the Australian resource sector remains globally competitive,’ said Mr Tobin.

‘The public don’t want new taxes. This poll shows Australians want the government to support families and businesses, rather than punish them.

‘Special Economic Zones are internationally recognised as successful policy frameworks for stimulating economic growth in under-developed areas.

‘A Northern Special Economic Zone would reduce the regulatory and tax burdens on businesses and families across the North and stimulate development for the benefit of all Australians,’ Mr Tobin concluded.

The Galaxy poll, which asked 1,063 Australians across all states ‘Would you be in favour or opposed to the establishment of a Special Economic Zone with low taxes to stimulate economic growth in Northern Australia?’ was conducted over the weekend of 13-15 May 2011.