Q. Following the allegations of rape and sexual assault against Attorney General Christian Porter last week, Scott Morrison has rejected calls for an independent inquiry, saying that “I don’t agree with that because I don’t agree with the precedent or the prima facie case for there being such a process… because that would say the rule of law and our police are not competent to deal with these issues.”.

To what extent do you agree with his suggestion that holding an independent inquiry would undermine the rule of law?

• People are split on Scott Morrison’s suggestion that holding an independent inquiry would undermine the rule of law. While 33% disagree with the Prime Minister’s suggestion, 37% agree and 31% are undecided.
• Men are more likely than women to agree with this suggestion (44% to 30% respectively). Those over 55 and those aged 35-54 are also more likely to agree with it than the younger 18-34 cohort (43% and 41% to 24% respectively).

Q. Which of the following statements regarding the Prime Minister’s decision not to hold an independent investigation into claims of rape and sexual assault against Attorney General Christian Porter is closer to your view?

• It’s closer to over half (55%) of people’s view that the Prime Minister needs an independent investigation to determine if the Attorney General is a fit and proper person to be the nation’s first law officer. The majority of women (59%) chose this option.
• Greens and Labor voters are most likely to hold this view (77% and 72% respectively) compared to other voters (37% Coalition voters, 48% minor and independent party voters).
• On the other hand, 45% think ‘We need to respect the rule of law, we can’t have a trial by mob. The police has said they will not be pressing charges and that should be the end of the matter.’ Men (49%), those over 55 (55%) and Coalition voters (63%) are mostly likely to align with this view.

Q. Last week the Royal Commission into the aged care system released its findings and recommendations.

A major recommendation was the introduction of a levy on all taxpayers to pay for the costs of aged care, similar to the Medicare levy. 

To what extent do you support or oppose the introduction of an aged care levy?

• While 38% support the introduction of an aged care levy, a third (30% oppose) and a further third are undecided (31%).
• Significant difference in support is only seen among the three age cohorts. Unsurprisingly, support is higher with age (48% of those over 55 support the levy, followed by 38% of those 35-54 and 29% of those 18-34). Nearly half (46%) of those 18-34 are undecided about whether they would support or oppose the introduction of an aged care levy.

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

• Rating of the federal government’s handling of Covid-19 has fallen to 62% since last month, the lowest rating we’ve seen since November last year.

Q. How would you rate your state government’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak?

• The rating of the VIC government has dropped further down to 49% (from 59% mid last month). This is the lowest rating since October last year.
• Positive rating of the QLD and WA governments has decreased slightly to 73% and 85% respectively (from 76% and 88% mid last month).
• Rating of the NSW and SA governments remain virtually unchanged at 72% and 78% respectively.

 Q. The Covid-19 vaccine rollout has begun in Australia.

Once a vaccine becomes available to you, how long would you wait before taking it?

• With the launch of the Covid-19 vaccine nationwide rollout last week, about half (50%) now say they would get vaccinated as soon as possible – a noticeable rise from the 42% in January. Correspondingly, fewer people now say that would get vaccinated but not straight away (40% to 47% in January).
• 1 in 10 say that would never get vaccinated, consistent with levels seen in the last few months.

Q. The Covid-19 vaccine rollout has begun in Australia.

Once a vaccine becomes available to you, how long would you wait before taking it?

• Those most likely to get the vaccine immediately include men (58%) and those aged over 55 (63%).
• Those voting for independent or minor parties are the most likely to say they would never get vaccinated (18%).

Q.  As vaccinations against Covid-19 are rolled out across Australia, how confident are you in each of the following?

That the rollout of vaccinations against Covid-19 in Australia will be…

• With the Covid-19 vaccine rollout underway, more people are now confident it will be effective at stopping Covid-19 within the country (64% to 58% last month).
• Most people are also confident the rollout will be done efficiently (68%) and that it will be done safely (73%), consistent with levels last month.