Our Political Heritage

UMR has been the primary private pollster to the Labor Party both federally and in every state and territory, as well as the New Zealand Labour Party, for the last 10 years.

Elections we’ve been involved in include:

• New South Wales – 1999, 2003
• Queensland – 1992, 1995, 1998, 2001, 2004
• Victoria - 2002
• South Australia – 1997, 2002
• West Australia – 1993, 1996, 2001, 2005.
• Northern Territory – 1998, 2001, 2004
• ACT – 1998, 2001, 2004
• Federal – 1996, 1998, 2001, 2004
• New Zealand – 1996, 1999, 2002, 2005

This work typically involves qualitative research to explore issues in the community, candidate attributes, and reactions to policies and communications materials, including television advertisements. 

Quantitative work includes nightly tracking in the lead-up to elections and rapid reaction monitors in individual seats.

What Our Political Background Means For Clients

UMR’s extensive experience in the political arena gives us extensive experience conducting campaigns in hostile or competitive environments. 

We believe our success in the political arena is based on the following strengths:

• Our Strong Edge in Sampling
  We use specially designed software that enables us to draw samples from any ABS Census Collection Districts (CCDs) or political boundaries (local, state or federal) in addition to traditional sampling software based on postcodes and the White Pages and Yellow Pages.
  
  
• Highly Accurate Quantitative Results
  Unlike most other research companies, our work in elections means that our results are regularly compared with reality.  In most elections, we have proved to be more accurate than published polls even though we work with smaller samples.
  
  
• Ability to Move Rapidly into the Field and Turn Around Results
  Speed is of the essence in a campaign environment. UMR owns its own phone room so can move quickly to put surveys into the field.  During nightly tracking, results are analysed and reports prepared into the early hours of the morning after that evening’s calls are completed.  Similarly, focus groups can often be organized within 24 hours notice of the brief.
  
  
• Cumulative Political Experience
  Our extensive experience in the political arena means we are finely attuned to the mood of the nation – whether people are feeling comfortable, willing to spend on non-essential items and what types of things or idea they are likely to accept at that point in time.

Diverse Professional Backgrounds

Our company policy is to employ researchers from a wide range of professional and educational backgrounds.

Our researchers have backgrounds in law, business principles, investment banking, communications, marketing, criminology, psychology, sociology, anthropology, computing and statistics.

We also have client-side experience so understand the environment in which people who use research are operating.