Essential Report
Download this week's Report
Performance of Scott Morrison
Q. Do you approve or disapprove of the job Scott Morrison is doing as Prime Minister?
| Dec’20 | Nov’20 | Oct’20 | Sep’20 | Aug’20 | Jul’20 | Jun’20 | May’20 | Apr’20 | Mar’20 | Feb’20 | Jan’20 | |
| TOTAL: Approve | 62% | 66% | 63% | 64% | 66% | 63% | 65% | 64% | 59% | 41% | 39% | 40% |
| TOTAL: Disapprove | 28% | 25% | 27% | 28% | 23% | 27% | 26% | 27% | 31% | 49% | 52% | 52% |
| Don’t know | 11% | 9% | 10% | 8% | 11% | 10% | 8% | 9% | 10% | 10% | 9% | 8% |
| Base (n) | 1,071 | 1,010 | 1,082 | 1,076 | 1,010 | 1,054 | 1,059 | 1,093 | 1,069 | 1,096 | 1,056 | 1,081 |
| Total | Federal Voting Intention | ||||
| Labor | Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
| Strongly approve | 23% | 12% | 43% | 7% | 21% |
| Approve | 39% | 36% | 47% | 35% | 36% |
| Disapprove | 17% | 27% | 6% | 25% | 20% |
| Strongly disapprove | 11% | 18% | 1% | 26% | 16% |
| Don’t know | 11% | 6% | 3% | 8% | 7% |
| TOTAL: Approve | 62% | 48% | 90% | 41% | 57% |
| TOTAL: Disapprove | 28% | 45% | 7% | 50% | 35% |
| Base (n) | 1,071 | 356 | 406 | 102 | 107 |
- The Prime Minister’s approval rating is now at 62%, a fall from 66% last month, but equivalent to approval in October.
- Approval of the Prime Minister is at 90% among Coalition supporters (94% last month) and 48% among Labor voters (50% last month).
Performance of Anthony Albanese
Q. Do you approve or disapprove of the job Anthony Albanese is doing as Opposition Leader?
| Dec’20 | Nov’20 | Oct’20 | Sep’20 | Aug’20 | Jul’20 | Jun’20 | May’20 | Apr’20 | Mar’20 | Feb’20 | Jan’20 | |
| TOTAL: Approve | 43% | 40% | 44% | 44% | 44% | 44% | 43% | 42% | 44% | 41% | 41% | 43% |
| TOTAL: Disapprove | 29% | 33% | 29% | 29% | 30% | 28% | 30% | 27% | 29% | 33% | 31% | 30% |
| Don’t know | 28% | 27% | 27% | 27% | 25% | 28% | 26% | 31% | 27% | 26% | 28% | 27% |
| Base (n) | 1,071 | 1,010 | 1,082 | 1,076 | 1,010 | 1,054 | 1,059 | 1,093 | 1,069 | 1,096 | 1,056 | 1,081 |
| Total | Federal Voting Intention | ||||
| Labor | Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
| Strongly approve | 9% | 13% | 7% | 11% | 15% |
| Approve | 34% | 48% | 29% | 30% | 22% |
| Disapprove | 19% | 14% | 30% | 20% | 18% |
| Strongly disapprove | 10% | 3% | 17% | 5% | 17% |
| Don’t know | 28% | 21% | 17% | 35% | 29% |
| TOTAL: Approve | 43% | 62% | 36% | 40% | 36% |
| TOTAL: Disapprove | 29% | 17% | 47% | 25% | 35% |
| Base (n) | 1,071 | 356 | 406 | 102 | 107 |
- The Opposition Leader’s approval rating is now 43% (40% in November) and about the same as ratings seen throughout the year.
Preferred Prime Minister
Q. Who do you think would make the better Prime Minister out of Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese?
| Dec’20 | Nov’20 | Oct’20 | Sep’20 | Aug’20 | Jul’20 | Jun’20 | May’20 | Apr’20 | Mar’20 | Feb’20 | Jan’20 | |
| Scott Morrison | 50% | 53% | 50% | 49% | 52% | 50% | 53% | 50% | 46% | 40% | 36% | 36% |
| Anthony Albanese | 24% | 24% | 25% | 26% | 22% | 27% | 23% | 25% | 27% | 35% | 36% | 39% |
| Don’t know | 26% | 24% | 25% | 25% | 26% | 23% | 24% | 25% | 27% | 25% | 28% | 25% |
| Base (n) | 1,071 | 1,010 | 1,082 | 1,076 | 1,010 | 1,054 | 1,059 | 1,093 | 1,069 | 1,096 | 1,056 | 1,081 |
| Federal Voting Intention | |||||
| Total | Labor | Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | |
| Scott Morrison | 50% | 27% | 84% | 36% | 53% |
| Anthony Albanese | 24% | 46% | 8% | 34% | 19% |
| Don’t know | 26% | 28% | 8% | 31% | 28% |
| Base (n) | 1,071 | 356 | 406 | 102 | 107 |
- Half of participants believe that Scott Morrison would make a better PM than Anthony Albanese (50%), while a quarter would prefer the opposition leader (24%). A further quarter (26%) of participants don’t know who would make the better PM.
- Morrison is strongly favoured by Coalition voters, with 84% believing Morrison makes the better PM, compared to Albanese (8%).
- Over half of Labor voters believe Albanese would make the better PM (46%). 28% of Labor voters said they don’t know who would make the better leader.
Last 12 months
Q. Thinking about the last 12 months, has it been a good or bad year for each of the following?
| TOTAL: Good | TOTAL:
Bad |
NET | Very good | Good | Neither good nor bad | Bad | Very bad | Don’t know | |||
| The Australian economy | 15% | 62% | -47 | 6% | 9% | 18% | 39% | 23% | 3% | ||
| Australian politics in general | 24% | 31% | -7 | 7% | 17% | 35% | 23% | 10% | 7% | ||
| The Australian Government | 27% | 34% | -7 | 8% | 19% | 31% | 23% | 10% | 8% | ||
| Large companies and corporations | 27% | 32% | -5 | 9% | 18% | 32% | 26% | 6% | 9% | ||
| Small business | 17% | 60% | -43 | 7% | 10% | 18% | 34% | 27% | 5% | ||
| Trade unions | 17% | 26% | -9 | 6% | 11% | 37% | 19% | 7% | 20% | ||
| The average Australian | 18% | 50% | -32 | 7% | 11% | 27% | 38% | 11% | 6% | ||
| Your personal financial situation | 26% | 30% | -4 | 7% | 18% | 40% | 20% | 9% | 4% | ||
| Your workplace | 21% | 17% | +4 | 7% | 14% | 33% | 12% | 5% | 29% | ||
| You and your family overall | 29% | 25% | +4 | 8% | 21% | 42% | 18% | 7% | 4% | ||
| The planet | 32% | 36% | -4 | 9% | 23% | 25% | 20% | 16% | 7% |
| 2020 NET | 2019 NET | 2018 NET | 2017 NET | 2016 NET | 2015 NET | 2014 NET | 2013 NET | |
| The Australian economy | -47 | -13 | +6 | +11 | -19 | -11 | -13 | -13 |
| The Australian Government | -7 | -7 | -41 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Australian politics in general | -7 | -20 | -50 | -36 | -53 | -41 | -53 | -62 |
| Large companies and corporations | -5 | +23 | +9 | +22 | +5 | +5 | +14 | -9 |
| Small business | -43 | -12 | +6 | -2 | -22 | -12 | -28 | -45 |
| Trade unions | -9 | -11 | -1 | -7 | -18 | -27 | -18 | -25 |
| The average Australian | -32 | -4 | -1 | -6 | -18 | -14 | -23 | -22 |
| Your personal financial situation | -4 | -2 | 0 | +1 | -8 | -6 | -11 | -8 |
| Your workplace (workers) | +4 | +14 | +28 | +34 | +12 | +14 | -5 | +8 |
| You and your family overall | +4 | +19 | +28 | +27 | +12 | +21 | +3 | +18 |
| The planet | -4 | -29 | -19 | -22 | -32 | – | – | – |
- In a generally poor year, most aspects of society received a negative net score in 2020 (more people thinking it was a bad year, than good year).
- 2020 has been a particularly poor year for the economy (-47), small businesses (-43) and the average Australian (-32).
Economic expectations post Covid-19
Q. Which of the following is closer to your expectations of what will happen to the economy following the Covid-19 situation?
| 14/12 | 27/04 | 20/04 | 13/04 | 06/04 | |
| The economy will rebound within 2-3 months and grow just as strong or stronger than before Covid-19 | 18% | 13% | 11% | 12% | 11% |
| The economy will be impacted for 6-12 months or longer and will stagnate or show slow growth thereafter | 43% | 49% | 47% | 49% | 51% |
| Covid-19 will have long lasting impact on the economy and the country will fall into a lengthy recession | 22% | 28% | 30% | 27% | 29% |
| Unsure | 17% | 10% | 11% | 11% | 9% |
| Base (n) | 1,071 | 1,054 | 1,051 | 1,068 | 1,069 |
| Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||||
| The economy will rebound within 2-3 months and grow just as strong or stronger than before Covid-19 | 18% | 27% | 10% | 18% | 22% | 15% | 15% | 25% | 13% | 21% | ||
| The economy will be impacted for 6-12 months or longer and will stagnate or show slow growth thereafter | 43% | 42% | 44% | 45% | 38% | 47% | 47% | 48% | 46% | 36% | ||
| Covid-19 will have long lasting impact on the economy and the country will fall into a lengthy recession | 22% | 18% | 25% | 18% | 25% | 22% | 25% | 17% | 32% | 33% | ||
| Unsure | 17% | 13% | 20% | 19% | 15% | 16% | 13% | 10% | 10% | 10% | ||
| Base (n) | 1,071 | 539 | 532 | 339 | 374 | 358 | 356 | 406 | 102 | 107 | ||
- There is now more uncertainty about the future of the economy than earlier in the year. 17% say they are unsure how the economy will rebound following Covid-19, up from 10% in April.
- 18% think the economy will rebound in the next 2-3 months (up from 13% in April) and 22% think Covid-19 will cause a long-term recession (down from 28%).
- However most people think there will be some growth in the economy after 6-12 months (43%).
Uptake of a Covid-19 vaccine
Q. Once a vaccine for Covid-19 becomes available in Australia, how long would you wait before taking it?
| 14/12 | 10/08 | |
| I’d get vaccinated as soon as possible | 43% | 56% |
| I’d get vaccinated, but wouldn’t do it straight away | 46% | 35% |
| I’d never get vaccinated | 10% | 8% |
| Base (n) | 1,071 | 1,010 |
| Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||||
| I’d get vaccinated as soon as possible | 43% | 53% | 35% | 35% | 41% | 53% | 44% | 48% | 45% | 42% | ||
| I’d get vaccinated, but wouldn’t do it straight away | 46% | 41% | 51% | 54% | 48% | 38% | 52% | 43% | 44% | 39% | ||
| I’d never get vaccinated | 10% | 6% | 14% | 11% | 11% | 9% | 5% | 8% | 11% | 19% | ||
| Base (n) | 1,071 | 539 | 532 | 339 | 374 | 358 | 356 | 406 | 102 | 107 | ||
- Fewer people say they would get a Covid-19 vaccine immediately than earlier in the year. 43% would get a vaccine as soon as possible, down from 56% in August. 46% would get vaccinated, but just not straight away (up from 35%) and 10% say they would never get vaccinated.
- Those most likely to get the vaccine immediately include men (53%), those aged over 55 (53%).
- Those voting for independent of minor parties are most likely to say they would never get a vaccine (19%).
Size of Christmas gatherings
Q. If you are hosting or attending a Christmas gathering this year, will there be:
| Total | Gender | Age Group | |||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | |||
| More people attending than in previous years | 8% | 14% | 3% | 12% | 12% | 2% | |
| About the same amount of people attending | 34% | 33% | 34% | 29% | 32% | 40% | |
| Less people attending than in previous years | 24% | 22% | 25% | 32% | 22% | 17% | |
| Not sure | 12% | 12% | 13% | 13% | 14% | 11% | |
| Not hosting or attending a Christmas gathering this year | 22% | 20% | 24% | 14% | 20% | 31% | |
| Base (n) | 1,071 | 539 | 532 | 339 | 374 | 358 | |
- A quarter of people will be hosting or attending a smaller gathering than usual this Christmas, but more will either be hosting or attending the same size gathering as usual (34%) or more (8%).
Christmas gift spending
Q. When considering your Christmas gift spending this year compared with previous years are you likely to:
| Total | Gender | Age Group | |||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | |||
| Spend more than usual | 13% | 18% | 8% | 16% | 18% | 5% | |
| Spend roughly the same as usual | 48% | 51% | 46% | 42% | 45% | 57% | |
| Spend less than usual | 31% | 26% | 36% | 30% | 30% | 32% | |
| Not sure | 8% | 6% | 11% | 12% | 7% | 6% | |
| Base (n) | 1,071 | 539 | 532 | 339 | 374 | 358 | |
- Just under half of people intend to spend about the same amount as usual on Christmas gifts (48%), but 31% say they will spend less than usual.
COVID-19 RESEARCH
Read Essential's ongoing research on the public response to Covid-19.
Download this week's ReportEssential Report
Two Party Preferred:
Labor
45%
Coalition
48%
In this week's report:
Essential Tags
2PP
Abbott
ALP
Approval of opposition leader
Approval of Tony Abbott
asylum seekers
Australian economy
Bill Shorten
budget
Carbon Tax
climate change
coronavirus
covid-19
economy
Education
Election
EMC
environment
ER
Essential Media
Essential Report
Federal Budget
Federal Government
federal politics
federal politics voting intention
Gillard
Greens
Julia Gillard
kevin rudd
Labor
Labor Party
Liberal
Liberal Party
Liberals
media
mining
Nationals
peter lewis
Polling
polls
Prime Minister
tony abbott
two party preferred
voting
Voting intention
Recent Comments
