Eco-Subsidies Not Enough To Combat Voter Dissatisfaction

"The Federal Government will subsidise solar energy and ethanol fuel production and give motorists up to A$2000 to convert their cars to LPG - just as a poll reveals a fierce voter backlash to petrol prices and interest rate rises.

"...75 per cent of voters are dissatisfied with the Government's response to the petrol price rises, up 38 points since almost a year ago."

"The Prime Minister, John Howard...aware of the impact of petrol prices on household budgets, calls it the biggest challenge facing the Government."

"The measures...will also include programs to encourage the use of alternative power such as solar and subsidies for service stations to use more biofuels, such as ethanol, to cut petrol prices. This will include funding for ethanol bowsers (gas pumps)."