The Essential Report Archive Read the latest report

Attitude towards Australia first hiring

12 May 2020

Q. Last weekend Kristina Kenneally, a NSW senator, called for the federal government to reduce the number of temporary migrant worker visas permitted after the Covid-19 outbreak. She argues that Australian businesses should prioritise training and hiring Australians for roles, rather than seeking temporary workers to fill skill-shortages.

To what extent, do you support or oppose this idea of “Australia first” hiring?

    Gender Age Group
  Total Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+
Strongly support 41% 36% 46% 27% 42% 53%
Somewhat support 26% 28% 23% 25% 26% 25%
Neither support, nor oppose 21% 21% 21% 30% 24% 10%
Somewhat oppose 6% 7% 4% 10% 3% 5%
Strongly oppose 6% 8% 5% 9% 5% 6%
TOTAL: Support 67% 64% 70% 52% 68% 78%
TOTAL: Oppose 12% 15% 9% 18% 8% 12%
Base (n) 1,067 532 535 341 341 385

 

  Federal Voting Intention
Labor Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
Strongly support 41% 44% 23% 61%
Somewhat support 22% 31% 26% 21%
Neither support, nor oppose 24% 15% 34% 12%
Somewhat oppose 7% 4% 7% 4%
Strongly oppose 6% 5% 10% 2%
TOTAL: Support 63% 75% 50% 82%
TOTAL: Oppose 13% 10% 17% 7%
Base (n) 306 418 86 143
  • Kristina Kenneally’s “Australia first” hiring approach is supported by 67% of participants; women (70%), those over 55 (78%), Coalition (75%) and other party voters (82%) are more likely to support this approach than men (64%), 18-34 year olds (52%) and Greens voters (50%).
Error: