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Health care is by far the most important issue determining the votes of Australians over 50, eclipsing the economy for the first time.
A pre-election survey by the Council on the Aging finds 52 per cent of older Australians rate health as one of the top three issues that will decide their vote, compared to only 38 per cent for economic management.
The result is a turnaround from the 2013 election when 46 per cent nominated the economy and 45 per cent healthcare. The next most important issues are jobs, climate change, taxation and education.
Council on the Aging chief executive Ian Yates said one reason why health had become more important might be that many of the people in the survey were three years older. The 1145 members surveyed included those who answered questions in 2013. Health care matters more the older people get. Half of those surveyed were aged over 70.
Asked which was the best party to manage healthcare, 36 per cent nominated Labor and only 14 per cent the Coalition. Eight per cent nominated the Greens.
Labor was also regarded as the best party to handle aged care, the best party to handle superannuation, the best party to handle pensions, the best party to handle affordable housing and the best party to handle support for older workers.
Twenty five per cent of those surveyed said they would be prepared to switch their vote between now and the election, up from 15 per cent at the same point in 2013. Nine per cent had yet to decide how to vote.
"Older voters are becoming more volatile, they are not as rusted on as they used to be, and they are more sceptical about the mainstream parties.," Mr Yates said.
"They are more prepared to look out for their own interests, and unlike younger voters, they are all registered."
