An Essential poll released by Greens Leader Bob Brown shows the federal policy not to subsidise burning of native forests through recognizing it as renewable energy is backed by a 3:1 majority of Australians.

"People don't want forest furnaces, which burn native forests and wildlife habitat, falsely credited as 'renewable energy', Senator Brown said.

"The policy of not giving renewable energy certification to forest furnaces was announced on Sunday as part of Australia's clean energy future.  Tellingly, opposition is highest amongst older voters who have seen so much of Australia's forests destroyed by industrial woodchipping," Senator Brown said. 

Here are the Essential poll results based on 1,037 respondents, online, on 29 June to 3 July, 2011.

Burning Native Forests

Q. Energy generated by burning native forests is currently subsidised by the Federal Government by recognising it as renewable energy. Do you agree or disagree that energy created by burning Australia's native forests should be subsidised as renewable energy by the Federal Government?

54% disagreed that energy created by burning Australia's native forests should be subsidised as renewable energy by the Federal Government and 17% agreed. 29% could not give an opinion.  Groups most likely to disagree were Greens voters (68%) and those aged 55+ (65%)