Coronavirus concerns

Q. To what extent are you concerned about the threat of the Coronavirus in Australia?

• Concern about the threat of the Covid-19 virus has increased this week as the impact of the outbreak affects more of the country. 39% are now very concerned by the threat (up from 27% at the start of the month), while 43% say they are quite concerned (up from 36%).
• Concern is highest among over 55 year olds (41% very concerned) and those in capital cities (40% concerned)

Likelihood of developing Coronavirus

Q. How likely do you think it is, that you will develop Covid-19?

• There has been an increase in the likelihood of developing Covid-19 during the last fortnight. 42% now say it is somewhat or very likely that they will develop Covid-19 (up from 31%).
• Younger people (aged 18-34, 10% very likely to develop Covid-19) and those living in capital cities (9%) are more likely to expect to develop the virus than older people (55+) and those living in regional areas.

Reaction to Covid-19

Q. Which of the following is closer to your personal views of the Covid-19 outbreak?

• A third of people believe there has been an over-reaction to the threat of Covid-19. Men (36%) and those aged 18-34 (39%) are more likely to think there has been an over-reaction than women (30%) and those aged 55+ (23%).
• 39% think the reaction has been proportionate to the threat and 28% believe the threat has been under-estimated.
• Those who think there has been an over-reaction are less concerned about the threat of Covid-19 (69% very/somewhat concerned, compared to 92% who think the threat has been under-estimated) and think they are less likely to contract the virus (38% to 49% very/somewhat likely to catch Covid-19).

Government response to Covid-19

Q. Overall, how would you rate the Government’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak?

• 45% of people rate the performance of the government to the threat has been quite or very good. Those aged over 55 are more likely to rate the performance as good (62%).
• Those aged 18-34 were most likely to rate the performance as poor (very/quite poor, 38%).
• Those who think the threat of Covid-19 has been under-estimated have a low rating of government performance (46% very/quite poor).

Information about Covid-19

Q. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the information you’ve received about the Covid-19 outbreak?

• Around two-thirds of people agree that they feel informed about the situation (64%) and over half (56%) trust the government to provide honest and objective information about the outbreak.
• Half think the information they’ve received has been clear and consistent (51%).
• Those who think the threat of Covid-19 has been under-estimated are more likely to disagree that they feel informed of the situation (22%), that the information they’ve receive is clear and consistent (33%) and they trust the government to deliver honest and objective information (34%).

• Those aged over 55 are more likely to agree that they feel informed about the situation (73%), that they have trust in the information from the government (66%) and that the information they’ve received has been clear and concise (58%).
• People in non-capital areas are less likely to agree that the information they have received has been clear and consistent (47%) compared to those in capital cities (54%).

Changing behaviour due to Covid-19

Q. Have you changed your behaviour in any of the following ways since the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak?

• Since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak, a majority of people have increased their personal hygiene (72%), limited their social interactions (60%) and reduced physical greetings (60%). A third of people say they have stocked up on groceries (33%).
• Younger people aged 18-34 were more likely to have changed their working patterns (33%) and reduced using cash for payments (30%)
• Just 12% of people say they have not changed their behaviour as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Financial situation during Covid-19 outbreak

Q. Which of the following best describes your financial situation during the Covid-19 outbreak?

• One in five people expect to be in serious financial stress due to a loss of income (21%), a further 29% say they will struggle.
• Women (24%), those aged 18-34 (25%) or 35-54 (28%) and those living in non-capital areas (25%) are most likely to be in serious financial stress.
• Around half people say they either have sufficient savings to manage a loss of income (26%) or will not suffer a loss of income as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak (24%).
• Those aged over 55 are more likely to be in a strong financial position, with 37% not expecting their income to be impacted and 31% having sufficient savings to manage a short-term loss of income.

• A quarter of families with dependent children in the household expect to be in serious financial stress with a short-term loss of income.

Federal opposition during Covid-19

Q. Which of the following is closest to your view on the role of the Federal Labor opposition during the response to the Covid-19 outbreak?

• Half of people (49%) prefer decisions to make quickly by to Government to react to the Covid-19 outbreak. This is highest among Coalition voters (66%).
• A third (33%) want decisions reviewed and challenged by the opposition.