THE Coalition's mooted idea to stimulate economic and population growth in the country's north appears to have some traction in voter land.

An Essential poll of almost 2000 people found 56% of respondents approved of the ideas contained in a leaked Coalition discussion paper.

The paper examined the idea of relocating public service jobs, increasing industry and food production and funding new projects in northern regions of Australia.

Just 22% were against the idea, while 21% of people said they "didn't know".

Not surprisingly, the idea was most popular with Coalition voters, with 73% approving.

But the idea did have some admirers among Labor voters, with 46% thinking it had merit, while 32% disapproved.