Asylum Seekers
Q. Which of the following comes is closest to your view?
Total | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | |
All asylum seekers arriving in Australia by boat should be sent back to the country they came from even if they are genuine refugees | 31% | 26% | 38% | 22% |
Asylum seekers arriving by boat should only be allowed to stay in Australia if they are found to be genuine refugees | 59% | 67% | 56% | 66% |
All asylum seekers arriving in Australia by boat should be allowed to stay | 4% | 4% | 2% | 10% |
Don’t know | 6% | 3% | 4% | 2% |
59% agreed with the statement that “asylum seekers arriving by boat should only be allowed to stay in Australia if they are found to be genuine refugees” and 31% agreed that “all asylum seekers arriving in Australia by boat should be sent back to the country they came from even if they are genuine refugees”. Only 4% (including 10% of Greens voters) agreed that “all asylum seekers arriving in Australia by boat should be allowed to stay”.
Women were more likely to think genuine refugees should be allowed to stay (61% compared to 57% of men). 28% of those aged 55+ thought all asylum seekers should be sent back compared to 33% of those aged under 55.

COVID-19 RESEARCH
Read Essential's ongoing research on the public response to Covid-19.
Essential Report
In this week's report:
- Performance of Scott Morrison
- Performance of Anthony Albanese
- Preferred Prime Minister
- Views towards re-electing the federal Coalition government
- Party trust to handle issues
- Importance of Australia’s international reputation
- Scott Morrison’s impact on Australia’s international reputation
- Views towards Australia’s international reputation
Sign up for updates
Receive the Essential Report in your inbox.Essential Tags
Recent Comments
