Party Elites, Australia, 1996

The purpose of the survey was to examine the role of the elites (from the organisational wings) within the three major Australian political parties in the selection of candidates, the making of international rules and the development of party policy. Elite members of these parties were asked questions about the extent of their own commitment to ideologically oriented parties, the commitment of their political opponents, and their state party as a whole. They were also questioned about their own views on a range of economic, political and social issues. The majority of the respondents were also asked about the commitment of the average voter to ideologically oriented parties, and their views on a range of economic, political and social issues. Background variables include respondent's age, sex, educational level and occupation.