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  • Jul, 2021

    Awareness of NAIDOC Week

    Q. NAIDOC Week is a national observance starting from the first Sunday in July. NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

    Before today, were you aware of NAIDOC Week?

      Jul’21 Jun’19
    Yes 70% 58%
    No 22% 34%
    Don’t know 8% 8%
    Base (n) 1,099 1,097

     

      Total Labor Coalition Greens NET: Other
    Yes 70% 69% 69% 78% 73%
    No 22% 24% 23% 18% 18%
    Don’t know 8% 7% 8% 4% 8%
    Base (n) 1,099 404 388 87 114
    •  70% of people said they were aware of NAIDOC week in 2021 (up from 58% in 2019).
  • Jun, 2021

    Climate change acceptance

    Q. Do you believe that there is fairly conclusive evidence that climate change is happening and caused by human activity or do you believe that the evidence is still not in and we may just be witnessing a normal fluctuation in the earth’s climate which happens from time to time?

    Jun’21 Jan’21 Jan’20 Nov’19 Mar’19 Oct’18 Sep’17 Aug’16
    Climate change is happening and is caused by human activity 56% 58% 56% 61% 62% 63% 64% 57%
    We are just witnessing a normal fluctuation in the earth’s climate 27% 32% 32% 28% 27% 25% 24% 26%
    Don’t know 16% 10% 13% 11% 12% 13% 12% 17%
    Base (n) 1,087 1,084 1,081 1,083 1,089 1,027 1,011 1,022
    • Over half (56%) of Australians now believe climate change is happening and is caused by human activity, similar to recent results earlier in 2021 (58%) and 2020 (56%)
    • The proportion of those who are undecided on the cause of climate change has increased from earlier in the year to 16% (from 10% in January). Less than a third (27%) believe we are just witnessing a normal fluctuation in the earth’s climate.
      Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
      Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor TOTAL: Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
    Climate change is happening and is caused by human activity 56% 54% 58% 61% 58% 51% 70% 44% 81% 50%
    We are just witnessing a normal fluctuation in the earth’s climate 27% 33% 22% 19% 27% 35% 19% 40% 14% 36%
    Don’t know 16% 12% 20% 20% 16% 14% 10% 17% 6% 14%
    Base (n) 1,087 527 560 328 374 385 378 407 98 102
    •  Acceptance that climate change is happening and is caused by human activity is highest among Greens voters (81%) and Labor voters (70%).
    • Those who think changes are a normal fluctuation in the earth’s climate is highest among Coalition voters (40%), those over 55 (35%) and men (33%).
  • Jun, 2021

    Addressing climate change

    Q. As far as you know, do you think Australia is doing enough, not enough or too much to address climate change?

    Jun’21 Jan’21 Jun’20 Mar’20 Jan’20 Nov’19 Mar’19 Dec’18 Oct’18 Sep’17 Aug’16
    Not doing enough 45% 42% 52% 55% 62% 60% 51% 53% 56% 56% 52%
    Doing enough 30% 35% 25% 23% 19% 22% 27% 24% 23% 20% 22%
    Doing too much 12% 10% 10% 9% 8% 8% 11% 9% 7% 8% 8%
    Don’t know 13% 13% 13% 13% 11% 10% 12% 14% 13% 16% 18%
    Base (n) 1,087 1,084 1,079 1,090 1,081 1,083 1,089 1,032 1,027 1,011 1,022
    • Most people think Australia is not doing enough to address climate change (45%), with 12% who think Australia is doing too much to address climate change. Consistent with previous years, 13% don’t know.
    • Fewer people now think Australia is doing enough to address climate change (30% from 35% in January).
      Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
      Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor TOTAL: Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
    Not doing enough 45% 41% 49% 47% 46% 44% 64% 27% 64% 40%
    Doing enough 30% 32% 27% 26% 28% 34% 19% 47% 20% 22%
    Doing too much 12% 17% 7% 10% 12% 13% 6% 16% 11% 24%
    Don’t know 13% 9% 16% 16% 14% 9% 12% 10% 5% 14%
    Base (n) 1,087 527 560 328 374 385 378 407 98 102
    • Greens and Labor voters are now both the most likely to think Australia is not doing enough to address climate change (64% respectively). Labor voters are more likely to think the country is not doing enough compered to earlier in the year (56% in January).
    • Compared to other voters, Coalition voters are the most likely to think enough is being done (47%), and those voting for minor or independent parties are the most likely to think Australia is doing too much for climate change (24%).
    • Women are more likely to think not enough is being done to address climate change than men (49% to 41% respectively), although men are more likely to think this compared to earlier in the year (36%).
  • Jun, 2021

    Preferred energy sources for government support

    Q. As you may be aware, many of Australia’s coal-fired power stations are reaching the end of their operational lives and will soon need to be replaced.

    Which of the following would you prefer that the government supported?

      Jun’21 Nov’20 Sep’20
     
    New coal-fired power stations 15% 15% 15%
    New gas-fired power stations 12% 14% 15%
    Renewable energy solutions (e.g. wind and solar) 73% 71% 70%
    Base (n) 1,087 1,034 1,081
    • The vast majority of Australians would prefer the government supported renewable energy solutions ahead of coal-fired or gas-fired power stations.
    • 73% of people prefer renewable energy solutions to replace coal-fired power stations. Only 12% opt for gas-fired power stations. 15% think Australia should persist with coal-fired power stations.
      Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
      Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor Liberal + National Greens TOTAL: Other
    New coal-fired power stations 15% 18% 12% 13% 11% 19% 8% 22% 4% 25%
    New gas-fired power stations 12% 15% 10% 11% 11% 16% 7% 17% 14% 10%
    Renewable energy solutions (e.g. wind and solar) 73% 67% 78% 76% 78% 65% 85% 61% 82% 65%
    Base (n) 1,087 527 560 328 374 385 378 407 98 102
    • The preference for renewable energy solutions is high across all gender, age and voting demographics.
    • Those most supportive of renewable energy solutions include women (78%), those aged under 55 (77%), Labor voters (85%) and Greens voters (82%). The proportion of Labor voters supporting renewable energy solutions has increased from 79% since last November. The majority of Coalition voters would prefer the government to support renewable energy sources over gas or coal (61%).
    • While support for new coal-fired and gas-fired power stations is low overall, the highest support for new coal-fired power stations is among Coalition voters and minor or independent party voters (22% and 25% respectively). The highest support for new gas-fired power stations is among Coalition voters and those aged over 55 (17% and 16% respectively).
  • Jun, 2021

    Agreement with need for Australia to act on climate change

    Q. Scott Morrison recently attended the G7 summit in the UK along with other world leaders from Japan, France and US, among others.

    Climate change was one of the main issues on the agenda. Each G7 nation has signed up to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 but Australia is yet to do so.

    Meanwhile, the European Union has proposed introducing carbon tariffs on products from countries which are not ambitious enough on climate change to force action on cutting emissions.

    To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

      TOTAL: Agree TOTAL: Disagree Strongly agree Somewhat agree Neither agree nor disagree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree
    Australia needs to follow other countries’ lead and make climate change a priority, or risk being left behind 59% 15% 31% 28% 25% 9% 6%
    Australian businesses have the opportunity to develop expertise in renewable energy and innovative technologies that other countries will demand 67% 8% 32% 35% 25% 6% 3%
    Australian manufacturing could benefit from cheap electricity if more solar and wind farms were built 65% 10% 34% 31% 25% 6% 4%
    Australia cannot afford to be locked out of the EU or other trade markets for failing to adopt a net zero emissions target by 2050 59% 11% 30% 29% 29% 8% 4%

     

    TOTAL: Agree Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
    Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor TOTAL: Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
    Australia needs to follow other countries’ lead and make climate change a priority, or risk being left behind 59% 56% 62% 57% 61% 59% 74% 50% 70% 49%
    Australian businesses have the opportunity to develop expertise in renewable energy and innovative technologies that other countries will demand 67% 66% 67% 57% 67% 74% 73% 68% 71% 60%
    Australian manufacturing could benefit from cheap electricity if more solar and wind farms were built 65% 62% 67% 62% 66% 66% 75% 59% 75% 55%
    Australia cannot afford to be locked out of the EU or other trade markets for failing to adopt a net zero emissions target by 2050 59% 60% 58% 54% 59% 64% 69% 55% 66% 53%
    Base (n) 1,087 527 560 328 374 385 378 407 98 102
    • 67% agree that Australian businesses have the opportunity to develop expertise in renewable energy and innovative technologies that other countries will demand, and 65% agree that Australian manufacturing could benefit from cheap electricity if more solar and wind farms were built. Agreement with these statements is high across all gender, age groups and party lines measured.
    • 59% respectively agree that Australia needs to follow other countries’ lead and make climate change a priority, or risk being left behind, and Australia cannot afford to be locked out of the EU or other trade markets for failing to adopt a net zero emissions target by 2050. Agreement with these statements is lowest among Coalition voters and minor or independent party voters.
  • Jun, 2021

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    Australia’s diplomatic and trade relationship with other countries

    Q. In terms of diplomatic & trade relationships, for each of the following countries please indicate whether you think Australia should be working more closely with them, less closely with them or stay about the same as now?

    TOTAL: Get closer Jun’21 Dec’20
    New Zealand 50% 49%
    United Kingdom 44% 38%
    The European Union 37% 33%
    United States 32% 28%
    China 12% 15%

     

    TOTAL Get closer Stay the same Become less close Don’t know
    New Zealand 50% 34% 6% 10%
    United Kingdom 44% 35% 8% 12%
    The European Union 37% 41% 9% 13%
    United States 32% 42% 14% 11%
    China 12% 24% 51% 13%

     

    TOTAL: Get closer Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
    Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor TOTAL: Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
    New Zealand 50% 49% 50% 43% 48% 57% 58% 46% 48% 48%
    United Kingdom 44% 47% 41% 32% 38% 61% 47% 51% 24% 46%
    The European Union 37% 40% 34% 29% 35% 45% 43% 33% 40% 35%
    United States 32% 37% 26% 22% 29% 42% 33% 38% 15% 34%
    China 12% 16% 9% 14% 13% 10% 16% 10% 20% 8%
    Base (n) 1,087 527 560 328 374 385 378 407 98 102
    • New Zealand still remains Australians’ preferred diplomatic and trading partner (50% wanting closer ties), followed by the UK (44% closer ties, an increase from 38% in December), the EU (37%), and the US (32%).
    • Only 12% of Australians want closer ties with China – half (50%) want Australia to become less close with China, and a further quarter (24%) think our relationship with China should stay the same at most. 13% don’t know.
  • Jun, 2021

    Influence of China

    Q. Thinking about Australia’s relationship with China, how do you rate the influence of China on each of the following aspects?

      TOTAL: Positive TOTAL: Negative Very positive Somewhat positive Somewhat negative Very negative Unsure
    Australia’s defence, military, and national security 26% 51% 8% 18% 24% 27% 22%
    Australia’s international trade 28% 55% 8% 20% 25% 29% 17%
    Australia’s culture 32% 46% 9% 24% 25% 22% 21%
    Australia’s politics 21% 57% 7% 14% 28% 29% 21%
    Chinese corporations and businesses operating in Australia 22% 60% 5% 17% 27% 33% 19%

     

    TOTAL: Positive influence Jun’21 May’20 Aug’19
    Australia’s defence, military, and national security 26% 25% 33%
    Australia’s international trade 28% 28% 59%
    Australia’s culture 32% 35% 43%
    Australia’s politics 21% 23% 30%
    Chinese corporations and businesses operating in Australia 22% 22% 41%
    Base (n) 1,087 1,087 1,096

     

    TOTAL: Positive influence Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
    Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor TOTAL: Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
    Australia’s defence, military, and national security 26% 34% 19% 35% 28% 17% 27% 29% 27% 16%
    Australia’s international trade 28% 34% 22% 36% 31% 18% 30% 30% 30% 15%
    Australia’s culture 32% 35% 30% 36% 36% 26% 37% 33% 35% 19%
    Australia’s politics 21% 27% 16% 26% 26% 12% 20% 26% 21% 13%
    Chinese corporations and businesses operating in Australia 22% 28% 16% 31% 23% 12% 24% 23% 26% 11%
    Base (n) 1,087 527 560 328 374 385 378 407 98 102
    • Compared to August 2019, Australians are less likely to rate China’s influence on Australia as positive – particularly in international trade (from 59% to 28%), and Chinese corporations operating in Australia (from 41% to 22%).
  • Jun, 2021

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    Influence of the US

    Q. Thinking about Australia’s relationship with the United States of America, how do you rate the influence of the United States of America on each of the following aspects?

      TOTAL: Positive TOTAL: Negative Very positive Somewhat positive Somewhat negative Very negative Unsure
    Australia’s defence, military, and national security 63% 19% 21% 42% 12% 7% 18%
    Australia’s international trade 59% 19% 14% 45% 13% 6% 22%
    Australia’s culture 49% 33% 13% 37% 22% 10% 18%
    Australia’s politics 47% 31% 11% 35% 20% 11% 23%
    American corporations and businesses operating in Australia 53% 26% 12% 41% 19% 7% 21%

     

    TOTAL: Positive influence Jun’21 May’20 Aug’19
    Australia’s defence, military, and national security 63% 54% 65%
    Australia’s international trade 59% 48% 56%
    Australia’s culture 49% 43% 51%
    Australia’s politics 47% 41% 43%
    American corporations and businesses operating in Australia 53% 47% 57%
    Base (n) 1,087 1,087 1,096

     

    TOTAL: Positive influence Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
    Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor TOTAL: Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
    Australia’s defence, military, and national security 63% 67% 60% 51% 62% 74% 65% 77% 42% 54%
    Australia’s international trade 59% 62% 56% 48% 60% 69% 59% 73% 36% 56%
    Australia’s culture 49% 50% 48% 42% 53% 52% 48% 62% 27% 46%
    Australia’s politics 47% 50% 43% 36% 49% 53% 44% 63% 25% 38%
    American corporations and businesses operating in Australia 53% 58% 48% 43% 55% 60% 53% 65% 35% 45%
    Base (n) 1,087 527 560 328 374 385 378 407 98 102
    • Australians are as likely as they were in August 2019 to rate the US as a positive influence on Australia. The biggest increases to the positive influence of the US were defence, military and national security (63%, from 54%), and Australia’s international trade (59%, from 48%).
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