Australians have heightened concerns about unemployment and the state of the economy, according to the Sensis® Consumer Report released today. And while we are also increasingly concerned about the drought and the environment, we are now less willing to pay for a carbon pollution reduction scheme. The report, which interviewed 1,500 Australians nationwide from 3 to 28 February 2009, provides an analysis of the issues that concern the nation, as well as insights into the Australian lifestyle lifestyle.

Report author Ms Christena Singh said concerns about unemployment rose more than any other issue over the last three months. “Concerns about unemployment have risen by 0.84 over the quarter, taking the concern level to 6.92 out of a possible 10.

“Unemployment is now Australia’s sixth most pressing concern, having risen from the lowest concern at 5.01 just 12 months ago.”

Concerns about unemployment are more strongly felt in Victoria (7.10) and weakest in the Northern Territory (6.06). Overall, Australians are most worried about the drought, with concerns rising by 0.13 during the quarter to 7.51. Victorians (8.53) have the highest level of concerns about the drought, while Northern Territorians (6.54) are least concerned. The drought is the major concern for residents of Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory.

The state of the economy and the environment come in at equal second, with a concern level of 7.37. Concerns about the state of the economy have risen 0.25 in the past quarter and 1.20 over the last 12 months. West Australians are most likely to be concerned about the state of the economy (7.57), while Northern Territorians have the lowest levels of concern (6.67).

The environment as an issue has risen .09 over the quarter, remaining relatively consistent over the last 12 months. Women are much more likely to be concerned about the environment (7.71) than men (7.01).

Australians aged between 40 and 49 years are most concerned about the environment (7.61). Despite strong levels of concern about the drought and the environment, Australians are less willing to pay more for energy costs under the Federal Government’s proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.

Fifty five per cent of Australians are now prepared to pay more for energy costs under the scheme, down five percentage points from last quarter. Residents of the Australian Capital Territory and South Australia are the most willing to pay more for their future energy costs (65 per cent each), with Queenslanders the least willing (50 per cent).

For those willing to pay more for energy, the average amount is $160 a year (a fall from $169 a year last quarter). Western Australians ($217) are willing to spend the most on additional energy costs and Queenslanders ($119) the least. “Overwhelmingly Australians believe petrol should be included in the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme,” Ms Singh noted. “However, support for the inclusion of petrol in the scheme has also weakened over the quarter.”

Seventy-eight per cent of Australians would like petrol included in a carbon pollution reduction scheme, down four percentage points over the quarter. Residents of New South Wales are most likely to want petrol included in the scheme (81 per cent), while residents of Queensland least likely (72 per cent). The March Sensis® Consumer Report also confirms consumer confidence has fallen to the lowest level on record.

The consumer confidence indicator fell six percentage points over the quarter to 21 per cent. Overall, 51 per cent of Australians are confident about their prospects for the year ahead, while 30 per cent are worried.

Putting the figures into context, Ms Singh noted that consumer confidence had more than halved over the last 12 months. Having a secure job is the main reason Australians feel confident about their financial prospects for the year ahead.

“Having a secure job has grown in relative importance over the past quarter. In fact, this is the fourth successive quarter where job security has been considered more important than the quality of the job.” The increasing level of unemployment is the main reason Australians feel worried about their financial prospects in the coming year.

“The level of unemployment is the reason nearly one in five Australians are worried about their finances. It is also the first time since the survey commenced in May 2004 that unemployment is the foremost reason for concern.”

She concluded: “While the drought and the environment occupy our thoughts, the threat of unemployment appears to be the main factor constraining our confidence and spending, including paying for environmental action.”

About Sensis

Sensis is Telstra's advertising business and Australia's leading directories information resource, helping Australians find, buy and sell. Sensis delivers innovative and integrated local search and digital marketing solutions via print, online, voice and mobile channels to connect Australians 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Sensis' powerful, multi-channel portfolio provides an unparalleled local information source incorporating the White Pages® and Yellow Pages® directories; the MediaSmart digital advertising business; the Whereis® digital mapping business; the Citysearch® entertainment and lifestyle website; the sensis.com.au search engine; the 1234 operator-assisted, premium voice information service; and the accommodation website gostay.com.au. Sensis is also a partner in some of China's most popular websites including real estate and home furnishings website, SouFun.com; auto websites Autohome.com and Che168.com; and digital devices websites IT168.com and PCPop.com.cn.