Essential Report
Performance of Scott Morrison
Q. Do you approve or disapprove of the job Scott Morrison is doing as Prime Minister?
| Oct’21 | Sep’21 | Aug’21 | Jul’21 | Jun’21 | May’21 | Apr’21 | End Mar’21 | Mid Mar’21 | Feb’21 | Jan’21 | Dec’20 | Nov’20 | |
| TOTAL: Approve | 54% | 50% | 50% | 51% | 57% | 58% | 54% | 57% | 62% | 65% | 61% | 62% | 66% |
| TOTAL: Disapprove | 37% | 41% | 40% | 40% | 36% | 32% | 37% | 35% | 29% | 28% | 30% | 28% | 25% |
| Don’t know | 9% | 9% | 10% | 9% | 8% | 10% | 9% | 8% | 8% | 7% | 9% | 11% | 9% |
| Base (n) | 1,097 | 1,100 | 1,098 | 1,099 | 1,104 | 1,092 | 1,368 | 1,100 | 1,124 | 1,109 | 1,084 | 1,071 | 1,010 |
| TOTAL: Approve | Oct’21 | Sep’21 | Aug’21 | Jul’21 | Jun’21 | May’21 | Apr’21 |
| NSW | 54% | 48% | 50% | 53% | 59% | 64% | 55% |
| VIC | 52% | 47% | 45% | 49% | 52% | 51% | 51% |
| QLD | 60% | 56% | 54% | 49% | 60% | 60% | 57% |
| SA | 43% | 47% | 53% | 50% | 56% | 52% | 50% |
| WA | 51% | 58% | 53% | 50% | 50% | 63% | 56% |
- The Prime Minister’s approval rating is now at 54% (from 50% last month), with disapproval at 37% (41% in September).
- While approval has increased in NSW (48% to 54%), Victoria (47% to 52%) and Queensland (56% to 60%), these have been drops in SA (47% to 43%) and WA (58% to 51%).
Performance of Anthony Albanese
Q. Do you approve or disapprove of the job Anthony Albanese is doing as Opposition Leader?
| Oct’21 | Sep’21 | Aug’21 | Jul’21 | Jun’21 | May’21 | Apr’21 | Mar’21 | Feb’21 | Jan’21 | Dec’20 | Nov’20 | |
| TOTAL: Approve | 41% | 37% | 34% | 41% | 39% | 39% | 39% | 41% | 40% | 42% | 43% | 40% |
| TOTAL: Disapprove | 34% | 36% | 38% | 35% | 36% | 35% | 34% | 32% | 33% | 33% | 29% | 33% |
| Don’t know | 25% | 27% | 28% | 24% | 24% | 25% | 27% | 27% | 27% | 25% | 28% | 27% |
| Base (n) | 1,097 | 1,100 | 1,098 | 1,099 | 1,104 | 1,092 | 1,368 | 1,124 | 1,109 | 1,084 | 1,071 | 1,010 |
- The Opposition Leader’s approval rating is now at 41% (37% last month).
- The proportion of people disapproving of Albanese is now at 34% (36% last month) with a further 25% who say they are unsure of his performance.
Preferred Prime Minister
Q. Who do you think would make the better Prime Minister out of Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese?
| Oct’21 | Sep’21 | Aug’21 | Jul’21 | Jun’21 | May’21 | Apr’21 | Mar’21 | Feb’21 | Jan’21 | Dec’20 | Nov’20 | |
| Scott Morrison | 45% | 47% | 45% | 46% | 48% | 50% | 47% | 52% | 52% | 51% | 50% | 53% |
| Anthony Albanese | 29% | 26% | 26% | 28% | 28% | 24% | 28% | 26% | 24% | 25% | 24% | 24% |
| Don’t know | 26% | 27% | 29% | 26% | 24% | 26% | 25% | 22% | 24% | 25% | 26% | 24% |
| Base (n) | 1.097 | 1,100 | 1,098 | 1,099 | 1,104 | 1,092 | 1,368 | 1,124 | 1,109 | 1,084 | 1,071 | 1,010 |
- 45% of Australians continue to think that Scott Morrison would make a better PM than Anthony Albanese (47% last month).
- 29% think the opposition leader would make the better Prime Minister (26% last month). 27% of participants don’t know who would make the better PM.
Federal government response to Covid-19
Q. Overall, how would you rate the federal government’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak?
| 11/10 | 27/09 | 13/09 | 30/08 | 16/08 | 02/08 | 19/07 | 05/07 | 07/06 | 24/05 | 12/04 | 15/03 | 01/03 | |
| Very poor | 12% | 12% | 16% | 16% | 13% | 16% | 13% | 12% | 10% | 6% | 7% | 5% | 6% |
| Quite poor | 18% | 18% | 20% | 20% | 22% | 19% | 19% | 17% | 14% | 12% | 10% | 7% | 8% |
| Neither good nor poor | 25% | 25% | 21% | 24% | 24% | 28% | 23% | 26% | 22% | 25% | 21% | 18% | 24% |
| Quite good | 32% | 34% | 28% | 29% | 32% | 28% | 32% | 33% | 38% | 40% | 40% | 39% | 39% |
| Very good | 13% | 11% | 15% | 10% | 9% | 10% | 14% | 11% | 15% | 18% | 22% | 31% | 23% |
| TOTAL: Poor | 30% | 30% | 35% | 36% | 35% | 35% | 31% | 30% | 24% | 18% | 17% | 12% | 14% |
| TOTAL: Good | 45% | 45% | 43% | 39% | 41% | 38% | 46% | 44% | 53% | 58% | 62% | 70% | 62% |
| Base (n) | 1,097 | 1,094 | 1,100 | 1,100 | 1,100 | 1,098 | 1,100 | 1,099 | 1,104 | 1,100 | 1,368 | 1,124 | 1,074 |
| TOTAL: Good | 11/10 | 27/09 | 13/09 | 30/08 | 16/08 | 02/08 | 19/07 | 05/07 | 07/06 | 24/05 | 12/04 | 15/03 | 01/03 |
| NSW | 48% | 48% | 41% | 34% | 34% | 39% | 49% | 44% | 62% | 56% | 66% | 69% | 64% |
| VIC | 37% | 39% | 39% | 35% | 37% | 33% | 39% | 40% | 42% | 57% | 55% | 65% | 51% |
| QLD | 50% | 44% | 43% | 45% | 44% | 40% | 46% | 48% | 54% | 56% | 63% | 69% | 66% |
| SA | 46% | 42% | 54% | 48% | 45% | 48% | 51% | 48% | 58% | 66% | 62% | 78% | 68% |
| WA | 49% | 48% | 51% | 51% | 53% | 37% | 51% | 42% | 49% | 56% | 65% | 75% | 66% |
- 45% of people rate the federal government’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak as quite good or very good (same as last month), with 30% rating it as quite poor or very poor.
- Positive rating of the federal government’s handling of Covid-19 has stayed the same in NSW (48%), but increased in Queensland (44% to 50%) and SA (42% to 46%).
State government response to Covid-19
Q. How would you rate your state government’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak?
| TOTAL: Good | 11/10 | 27/09 | 13/09 | 30/08 | 16/08 | 02/08 | 19/07 | 05/07 | 07/06 | 24/05 | 12/04 | 15/03 | 01/03 |
| NSW | 55% | 53% | 46% | 40% | 42% | 47% | 54% | 57% | 69% | 68% | 73% | 75% | 72% |
| VIC | 46% | 44% | 50% | 44% | 56% | 54% | 49% | 50% | 48% | 63% | 58% | 62% | 49% |
| QLD | 68% | 62% | 65% | 67% | 66% | 60% | 62% | 61% | 65% | 68% | 72% | 75% | 73% |
| SA | 67% | 55% | 67% | 76% | 68% | 73% | 68% | 67% | 67% | 71% | 75% | 85% | 78% |
| WA | 80% | 82% | 87% | 78% | 87% | 82% | 77% | 86% | 75% | 77% | 84% | 91% | 85% |
- Positive rating of the state government’s response to Covid-19 in NSW continues to increase (now 55%, up from 40% in August).
- Rating of state governments has improved in Queensland (62% to 68%), and South Australia (55% to 67%).
Uptake of a Covid-19 vaccine
Q. The Covid-19 vaccine rollout is underway in Australia.
Which of the following best describes your situation?
| 11/10 | 27/09 | 13/09 | |
| I’ve already had the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine /
I’ve already had both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine |
81% | 75% | 69% |
| I’ve booked my vaccination and am waiting to get my first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine | 6% | 9% | 11% |
| I will get vaccinated but haven’t booked my vaccination yet | 7% | 10% | 14% |
| I’d never get vaccinated | 7% | 7% | 6% |
| Base (n) | 1,097 | 1,094 | 1,100 |
| State | |||||
| NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | |
| I’ve already had the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine /
I’ve already had both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine |
90% | 82% | 74% | 74% | 76% |
| I’ve booked my vaccination and am waiting to get my first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine | 5% | 4% | 5% | 10% | 6% |
| I will get vaccinated but haven’t booked my vaccination yet | 2% | 7% | 11% | 9% | 11% |
| I’d never get vaccinated | 3% | 7% | 10% | 7% | 7% |
| Base (n) | 352 | 276 | 215 | 89 | 111 |
| Federal Voting Intention | ||||
| Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | |
| I’ve already had the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine /
I’ve already had both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine |
83% | 87% | 79% | 68% |
| I’ve booked my vaccination and am waiting to get my first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine | 7% | 5% | 6% | 6% |
| I will get vaccinated but haven’t booked my vaccination yet | 7% | 5% | 12% | 9% |
| I’d never get vaccinated | 4% | 3% | 4% | 17% |
| Base (n) | 362 | 414 | 94 | 138 |
- Uptake of the Covid-19 vaccine continues to increase, with 81% who have received at least a first dose. A further 6% are waiting to receive a first dose, even though they have already booked in.
- Overall, 7% of people say they do not intend to get a vaccine, but this is highest among those intending to vote for a minor party at 17% (e.g. One Nation or UAP) or an independent candidate at the next federal election. Just 3% of those in NSW say they would never get vaccinated – the lowest of all states.
Support for Federal ICAC
Q. To what extent would you support or oppose the establishment of an independent federal anti-corruption body to monitor the behaviour of our politicians and public servants?
| Q | Oct’21 | Nov’20 | Jan’20 | Dec’19 | Sep’18 |
| Strongly support | 46% | 45% | 49% | 42% | 46% |
| Somewhat support | 32% | 36% | 31% | 33% | 36% |
| Somewhat oppose | 8% | 5% | 5% | 7% | 4% |
| Strongly oppose | 3% | 1% | 2% | 2% | 1% |
| Unsure | 11% | 13% | 13% | 17% | 14% |
| TOTAL: Support | 78% | 81% | 80% | 75% | 82% |
| TOTAL: Oppose | 11% | 6% | 7% | 8% | 5% |
| Base (n) | 1,097 | 1,063 | 1,080 | 1,035 | 1,030 |
| Q | Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | ||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
| Strongly support | 46% | 49% | 43% | 38% | 46% | 52% | 52% | 40% | 54% | 51% |
| Somewhat support | 32% | 30% | 35% | 34% | 32% | 31% | 31% | 37% | 24% | 28% |
| Somewhat oppose | 8% | 10% | 6% | 12% | 8% | 5% | 6% | 10% | 8% | 7% |
| Strongly oppose | 3% | 4% | 2% | 4% | 4% | 2% | 3% | 2% | 2% | 6% |
| Unsure | 11% | 7% | 15% | 12% | 11% | 10% | 8% | 10% | 13% | 8% |
| TOTAL: Support | 78% | 79% | 77% | 72% | 78% | 83% | 84% | 77% | 78% | 79% |
| TOTAL: Oppose | 11% | 14% | 8% | 16% | 11% | 7% | 9% | 13% | 9% | 13% |
| Base (n) | 1,097 | 540 | 557 | 342 | 366 | 389 | 362 | 414 | 94 | 138 |
- Support for the establishment of a federal ICAC remains high at 78%, with 46% strongly supporting this. This is consistent with previous years.
- A large majority of all demographics would support a federal ICAC.
- There is strongest support among those aged over 55 (52% strongly support, Labor voters (52%) and Greens voters (54%). Coalition voters were most likely to oppose a federal ICAC (13%).
Resignation of Berejiklian and need for ICAC
Q. Thinking about Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation as NSW Premier, which is closer to your view?
| Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
| Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation as NSW Premier makes me more supportive of an independent federal anti-corruption body | 47% | 54% | 40% | 46% | 44% | 50% | 59% | 41% | 56% | 46% |
| Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation as NSW Premier makes me less supportive of an independent federal anti-corruption body | 21% | 21% | 21% | 25% | 21% | 18% | 16% | 31% | 14% | 26% |
| Unsure | 32% | 25% | 39% | 29% | 35% | 32% | 25% | 28% | 30% | 28% |
| Base (n) | 1,097 | 540 | 557 | 342 | 366 | 389 | 362 | 414 | 94 | 138 |
- Overall, the resignation of Gladys Berejiklian has strengthened the support for a federal ICAC. 47% say they are now more supportive, with 21% less supportive and 32% unsure.
| Total | State | ||
| NSW | All other states | ||
| Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation as NSW Premier makes me more supportive of an independent federal anti-corruption body | 47% | 48% | 45% |
| Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation as NSW Premier makes me less supportive of an independent federal anti-corruption body | 21% | 29% | 16% |
| Unsure | 32% | 23% | 38% |
| Base (n) | 1,097 | 352 | 691 |
- While greater support for a federal ICAC due to Berejiklian’s resignation is consistent between NSW and other states (48% to 45%), opposition is higher in NSW (29% to 16%).
COVID-19 RESEARCH
Read Essential's ongoing research on the public response to Covid-19.
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