Q. Protesters are arguing for the removal of monuments and memorials of individuals or organisations connected to the slave trade, genocide of Indigenous Australians and racism. In some cases, the protesters have destroyed the monuments and memorials themselves.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with these statements about removing public monuments and memorials?
NET: Agree | NET: Disagree | Strongly agree | Somewhat agree | Somewhat disagree | Strongly disagree | Unsure | |
The protesters should focus on making changes for people living now, rather than things that happened in the past | 80% | 14% | 54% | 26% | 8% | 6% | 7% |
Instead of removing monuments and memorials, we should include more information about the historical context of public figures | 78% | 15% | 47% | 30% | 10% | 5% | 7% |
Every public figure has their positive and negative aspects, and this isn’t a good reason to remove their monuments or memorials | 76% | 16% | 45% | 31% | 9% | 7% | 8% |
We lose part of our history when monuments and memorials are removed | 76% | 17% | 49% | 27% | 8% | 8% | 8% |
It’s wrong to judge historical figures by our modern standards of morality | 72% | 19% | 44% | 28% | 11% | 8% | 9% |
Monuments and memorials provide a constant reminder of racial discrimination in society | 48% | 42% | 19% | 29% | 20% | 21% | 11% |
Monuments and memorials of people who support racism, segregation or slavery glorify their actions | 45% | 41% | 19% | 26% | 22% | 19% | 14% |
NET: Agree | Total | Federal Voting Intention | |||
Labor | Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
The protesters should focus on making changes for people living now, rather than things that happened in the past | 80% | 77% | 89% | 61% | 83% |
Instead of removing monuments and memorials, we should include more information about the historical context of public figures | 78% | 75% | 85% | 62% | 81% |
Every public figure has their positive and negative aspects, and this isn’t a good reason to remove their monuments or memorials | 76% | 71% | 87% | 52% | 79% |
We lose part of our history when monuments and memorials are removed | 76% | 71% | 88% | 54% | 71% |
It’s wrong to judge historical figures by our modern standards of morality | 72% | 65% | 83% | 55% | 74% |
Monuments and memorials provide a constant reminder of racial discrimination in society | 48% | 55% | 38% | 69% | 43% |
Monuments and memorials of people who support racism, segregation or slavery glorify their actions | 45% | 50% | 37% | 65% | 41% |
Base (n) | 1,079 | 315 | 445 | 107 | 108 |