The big surprise in the most detailed qualitative study on post-budget sentiment is that hostility of voters is driven to a large extent by concern that it will promote a less even, less caring society.
Rather than direct their anger at measures that will hit their own hip pockets, many of those surveyed repeatedly express concern about the impact on others, especially their children.
''People are scratching their heads and asking: are the cuts directed at the right people? Is it good for our country to make things harder for our young people?'' says Laura Demasi, research director at the Ipsos Social Research Institute.
''People were saying, 'I don't think this is going to affect me right now, but I don't feel comfortable about how it will affect the more vulnerable.' '' The report, How Australians are feeling about the economy and the future post budget, is likely to steel the resolve of Senate crossbenchers to block a host of measures, from the deregulation of university fees to the Medicare co-payment.
It is based on 12 group discussions with Australian men and women across all age groups in Sydney, Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Bendigo in the first week of this month and reveals:
■ Deep confusion about how serious Australia's economic situation is, with some voters supporting the government's view that debt was out of control and others dismissing claims of a ''budget crisis'' as political spin.
■ Fear and apprehension about the country's economic direction and the decline of manufacturing.
■ A strong sentiment that the budget ''targeted the young, the older and the more vulnerable in our society''.
■ ''Unambiguous concern'' about proposed changes to higher education funding.
■ Consensus that Tony Abbott's paid parental leave scheme was too generous, when the bigger concern was childcare.
■ ''Fairly unanimous'' opposition to increasing the retirement age to 70.
■ Strong opposition to the move to withhold the dole from the young unemployed for six months.
■ A sense that anxiety generated by the budget would make consumers more cautious in their spending.
■ A range of views on the Medicare co-payment, with a major concern being its impact on the vulnerable.
The altruistic outlook of voters was summed up by one voter who said in a discussion: ''I don't think there's going to be a huge negative effect on [my] family, but I can see that a lot of families will be affected, and that bothers me.''
The report also noted frustration at the ''partisan mentality of the government, that they abandoned good ideas of the previous government''.
There were also positive comments made about the principle pursued by the government about paying down debt.
