Guardian Essential poll: 70% of people want price caps on essential services such as energy

Almost 70% of those surveyed want to see the government set limits for prices of essential services such as energy, with just 7% opposing the idea, amid a high inflation environment that has seen electricity generation costs soar.

There is also strong support (61%) for placing taxes on companies that make additional profits due to rising inflation, despite the treasurer, Jim Chalmers, ruling out a super profits tax.

The call from employer groups for an urgent boost to skilled migration has also found strong support, with the Essential poll suggesting 47% of people back the move, while just 18% oppose it.

As Albanese flags the need to find consensus between government, business and unions, the poll found a majority of people (56%) agreed that the view of small businesses aligned with their best interests.

Ley, in a draft of her speech, urges the business community not to abandon the Liberal party despite acknowledging it had lost the backing of some small business owners at the last election.