Voters want spending cuts over tax hikes

The latest Newspoll shows most surveyed Australian voters would prefer to see the federal deficit repaired by cuts in government spending before tax hikes or reductions to welfare.

The Australian reports on Tuesday that 70 per cent of surveyed voters would rather government spending was reduced to balance the budget, with 20 per cent preferring tax hikes and 10 per cent uncommitted.

The majority of those surveyed didn't want to see cost-saving measures to include cuts to welfare, with 61 per cent opposing ongoing welfare cuts.

The Newspoll surveyed 1686 voters from Thursday to Sunday and comes as the Turnbull government prepares for its May 9 budget.