Aussies want welfare spend over tax cuts

A new poll shows a majority of Australians would prefer welfare spending over personal tax cuts.

A new poll shows a majority of Australians would prefer welfare spending over personal tax cuts. (AAP)

Australians want the government to spend more money on welfare instead of cutting income taxes, a new poll shows.

And they want money for social services safeguarded from any move to reduce government debt.

The Australian National University survey found while most people consider the nation's tax system fair, they believe multinational companies don't pay enough tax.

But they don't agree that reducing government debt is the biggest problem facing the country.

The poll also found:

* To lower debt, 37 per cent prefer non-welfare spending cuts, 25 per cent support higher GST.

* 41 per cent back cuts to negative gearing or capital gains tax concessions to fund personal tax cuts.

* 90 per cent believe international companies don't pay enough tax.

* 80 per cent say large Australian companies pay too little tax.

The focus on welfare spending is a major shift to sentiments in 2013, when only 30 per cent wanted more social services funding.