Economy is the key poll concern: survey VOTERS are taking a keener interest in the economy and are less concerned about the carbon tax and the environment, a new survey shows. The Australian National University on Monday released the findings of its latest ANUpoll into voter attitudes. The poll showed concern about the economy and job security has doubled since 2010, while those citing the environment and global warming as an issue had halved. The second most important issue was immigration and asylum seekers. This was nominated as either the top or the second top issue by 28 per cent of the 1200 randomly surveyed people. Six per cent of respondents cited the environment or global warming as an issue, down from about 12 per cent in 2010. Only 0.1 per cent of people mentioned the carbon tax. "The poll results suggest that the management of the economy will be centre stage in the federal election campaign," said ANU academic Professor Ian McAllister. Prof McAllister said the declining importance of environmental issues would have an impact on the vote for the Australian Greens at the September 7 election. The poll also asked questions about compulsory voting, the frequency of elections and funding of political parties. More than two-thirds of people said voting should remain compulsory, while almost 11 per cent said they would not vote if it was optional. Sixty-two per cent of respondents said three-year terms were about right. Twenty per cent said every four years would be better. The national survey was conducted by telephone between July 9 and 23 involving 1200 randomly selected voters and had a 2.5 per cent margin of error.