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Preferred Prime Minister
Q. Who do you think would make the better Prime Minister out of Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese?
| Apr’21 | Mar’21 | Feb’21 | Jan’21 | Dec’20 | Nov’20 | Oct’20 | Sep’20 | Aug’20 | Jul’20 | Jun’20 | May’20 | |
| Scott Morrison | 47% | 52% | 52% | 51% | 50% | 53% | 50% | 49% | 52% | 50% | 53% | 50% |
| Anthony Albanese | 28% | 26% | 24% | 25% | 24% | 24% | 25% | 26% | 22% | 27% | 23% | 25% |
| Don’t know | 25% | 22% | 24% | 25% | 26% | 24% | 25% | 25% | 26% | 23% | 24% | 25% |
| Base (n) | 1,368 | 1,124 | 1,109 | 1,084 | 1,071 | 1,010 | 1,082 | 1,076 | 1,010 | 1,054 | 1,059 | 1,093 |
| Men | Apr’21 | Mar’21 | Feb’21 | Jan’21 | Dec’20 | Nov’20 | Oct’20 |
| Scott Morrison | 53% | 52% | 54% | 53% | 54% | 54% | 52% |
| Anthony Albanese | 29% | 30% | 28% | 28% | 29% | 28% | 29% |
| Don’t know | 18% | 19% | 19% | 19% | 17% | 19% | 19% |
| Women | |||||||
| Scott Morrison | 42% | 53% | 51% | 48% | 47% | 51% | 47% |
| Anthony Albanese | 26% | 23% | 21% | 22% | 19% | 20% | 22% |
| Don’t know | 32% | 24% | 29% | 31% | 34% | 28% | 31% |
| Apr’21 | Federal Voting Intention | ||||
| Total | Labor | Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | |
| Scott Morrison | 47% | 27% | 80% | 28% | 41% |
| Anthony Albanese | 28% | 50% | 10% | 45% | 20% |
| Don’t know | 25% | 24% | 9% | 26% | 39% |
| Base (n) | 1,368 | 483 | 471 | 123 | 165 |
- Just under half (47%) of participants believe that Scott Morrison would make a better PM than Anthony Albanese, a drop since last month (52%) and the lowest figure seen in the last 12 months.
- 28% would prefer the Opposition Leader (no change from 26% in March). A quarter (25%) of participants don’t know who would make the better PM.
- Preference for Morrison has dropped among women from 53% last month to 42% in April. Preference is unchanged among men (52% and 53%).
- Half (50%) of Labor voters believe Albanese would make the better PM, consistent with levels last month (49%). Just under a third (27%) think Morrison would make the better leader and about a quarter (24%) don’t know.
Federal government response to Covid-19
Q. Overall, how would you rate the federal government’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak?
| 12/04 | 15/03 | 01/03 | 15/02 | 01/02 | 30/11 | 16/11 | 02/11 | 05/10 | 21/09 | 07/09 | 24/08 | 10/08 | |
| Very poor | 7% | 5% | 6% | 5% | 4% | 6% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 8% | 6% | 7% |
| Quite poor | 10% | 7% | 8% | 7% | 11% | 8% | 9% | 10% | 12% | 13% | 12% | 11% | 8% |
| Neither good nor poor | 21% | 18% | 24% | 19% | 19% | 19% | 18% | 24% | 22% | 21% | 22% | 22% | 21% |
| Quite good | 40% | 39% | 39% | 42% | 42% | 41% | 41% | 39% | 39% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 40% |
| Very good | 22% | 31% | 23% | 27% | 25% | 26% | 26% | 22% | 21% | 21% | 18% | 22% | 24% |
| TOTAL: Poor | 17% | 12% | 14% | 12% | 14% | 13% | 15% | 15% | 18% | 18% | 19% | 17% | 16% |
| TOTAL: Good | 62% | 70% | 62% | 69% | 67% | 67% | 67% | 61% | 60% | 61% | 59% | 61% | 63% |
| Base (n) | 1,368 | 1,124 | 1,074 | 1,109 | 1,092 | 1,034 | 1,010 | 1,063 | 1,066 | 1,081 | 1,076 | 1,068 | 1,010 |
- Rating of the federal government’s handling of Covid-19 has dropped back down to 62% (from 70% mid-March). This is consistent with levels at the start of March.
State government response to Covid-19
Q. How would you rate your state government’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak?
| TOTAL: Good | 12/04 | 15/03 | 01/03 | 15/02 | 01/02 | 30/11 | 16/11 | 02/11 | 05/10 | 21/09 | 07/09 | 24/08 | 10/08 |
| NSW | 73% | 75% | 72% | 72% | 71% | 76% | 75% | 68% | 65% | 67% | 57% | 59% | 61% |
| VIC | 58% | 62% | 49% | 59% | 61% | 60% | 59% | 55% | 45% | 47% | 50% | 47% | 49% |
| QLD | 72% | 75% | 73% | 76% | 78% | 72% | 71% | 69% | 69% | 68% | 66% | 73% | 68% |
| SA | 75% | 85% | 78% | 79% | 80% | 70% | 76% | 77% | 81% | 81% | 74% | 65% | 72% |
| WA | 84% | 91% | 85% | 88% | 80% | 83% | 82% | 81% | 83% | 84% | 87% | 84% | 86% |
- Positive rating of state governments’ response to the Covid-19 outbreak has decreased in all states in the last month.
- While still high, the rating of the SA and WA governments have witnessed the largest drops in the last month – from 85% to 75% for the SA government and 91% to 84% for the WA government.
- Positive rating of the VIC government has dipped back down to 58% (from 62% a month ago). This is consistent with levels in February.
- Rating of the NSW and QLD governments are now at 73% and 72% respectively.
Confidence in Labor government handling of Covid-19 pandemic
Q. If a Labor government under Anthony Albanese had been in power, how confident are you that they would have done a good job at dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic?
| Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | ||||||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | |||||
| Very confident | 15% | 21% | 10% | 13% | 21% | 12% | 24% | 10% | 19% | 14% | |||
| Fairly confident | 29% | 27% | 30% | 33% | 30% | 24% | 42% | 22% | 32% | 22% | |||
| Not that confident | 24% | 25% | 23% | 25% | 21% | 25% | 18% | 30% | 25% | 20% | |||
| Not confident at all | 14% | 14% | 13% | 7% | 10% | 23% | 3% | 25% | 5% | 23% | |||
| Unsure | 18% | 12% | 24% | 22% | 18% | 16% | 13% | 12% | 20% | 21% | |||
| TOTAL: Confident | 44% | 49% | 40% | 46% | 51% | 36% | 65% | 32% | 50% | 35% | |||
| TOTAL: Not Confident | 37% | 39% | 36% | 32% | 31% | 48% | 21% | 56% | 29% | 44% | |||
| Base (n) | 1,368 | 669 | 699 | 426 | 460 | 482 | 483 | 471 | 123 | 165 | |||
- 44% of Australians are confident that if a Labor government under Anthony Albanese had been in power, they would have done a good job at dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. 37% are not confident about this and 18% are unsure.
- Labor voters are the most confident about this compared to other voters (65%). They are followed by Greens voters (50%). Coalition voters and minor and independent party voters are the least likely to be confident in this (32% and 35% respectively).
- Those aged 18-34 and 35-43 are more confident that a Labor government would have done a good job a dealing with Covid-19 than those over 55 (46% and 51% to 36% respectively).
Satisfaction with speed of Covid-19 vaccine rollout
Q. Which of the following best describes your view on how quickly Australians are being vaccinated against Covid-19?
They are being vaccinated…
| Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | ||||||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | |||||
| … much more quickly than I would like | 13% | 16% | 10% | 17% | 18% | 4% | 10% | 12% | 16% | 22% | |||
| … a bit more quickly than I would like | 8% | 8% | 7% | 12% | 9% | 2% | 7% | 10% | 8% | 6% | |||
| … at about the right speed | 19% | 18% | 20% | 24% | 20% | 13% | 15% | 21% | 22% | 14% | |||
| … a bit more slowly than I would like | 25% | 23% | 26% | 24% | 19% | 31% | 23% | 34% | 19% | 13% | |||
| … a lot more slowly than I would like | 27% | 28% | 27% | 15% | 24% | 42% | 37% | 19% | 30% | 30% | |||
| Unsure | 9% | 7% | 11% | 9% | 11% | 8% | 8% | 4% | 6% | 16% | |||
| TOTAL: More quickly than I would like | 20% | 24% | 17% | 29% | 27% | 6% | 16% | 22% | 24% | 28% | |||
| TOTAL: More slowly than I would like | 52% | 52% | 53% | 39% | 43% | 73% | 60% | 52% | 49% | 42% | |||
| Base (n) | 1,368 | 669 | 699 | 426 | 460 | 482 | 483 | 471 | 123 | 165 | |||
- Just over half of Australians (52%) think Australians are being vaccinated against Covid-19 more slowly than they would like, with nearly a third (27%) feeling vaccinations are progressing a lot more slowly than they would like.
- 20% think Australians are being vaccinated against Covid-19 more quickly than they would like and 9% are unsure.
- Those over 55 are much more likely than younger cohorts to think the vaccine rollout is progressing more slowly than they would like (73% compared to 43% of those 35-54 and 39% those 18-34).
- Labor voters are the most likely voters to think the vaccine rollout is progressing more slowly than they would like (60% compared to 52% Coalition voters, 49% Greens voters and 42% independent and minor party voters).
Party most responsible for slow vaccine rollout
Q. Which do you think is MOST responsible for Australians being vaccinated more slowly than you would like?
[Asked only to those who think Australians are being vaccinated against Covid-19 a bit / a lot more slowly than they would like]
| Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||||
| The federal government | 42% | 45% | 39% | 36% | 51% | 40% | 57% | 24% | 44% | 49% | ||
| State and territory governments | 7% | 8% | 7% | 16% | 7% | 4% | 5% | 11% | 5% | 13% | ||
| International supply chains | 24% | 29% | 20% | 24% | 19% | 28% | 17% | 35% | 20% | 17% | ||
| Unavoidable delays in the production of vaccines | 18% | 13% | 22% | 15% | 18% | 19% | 15% | 22% | 22% | 16% | ||
| Unsure | 8% | 6% | 11% | 9% | 6% | 9% | 6% | 8% | 8% | 5% | ||
| Base (n) | 713 | 356 | 357 | 165 | 194 | 354 | 291 | 242 | 61 | 72 | ||
- The largest cohort within the group of those who think Australians are being vaccinated against Covid-19 more slowly than they would like, think the federal government is most responsible for this (42%).
- About a quarter (24%) place the onus on international supply chains, followed by 18% who feel unavoidable delays in the production of vaccines are the main reason for the slow progress of the vaccine rollout in Australia.
- Only 7% think state and territory governments are most responsible and 8% are unsure.
- Those most likely to place responsibility on the federal government for Australians being vaccinated more slowly than they would like include those aged 35-54 (51%) and Labor voters (57%).
- Coalition voters are the most likely to think international supply chains are most responsible for the delays (35%).
Views towards progress of Covid-19 vaccine rollout
Q. As you may be aware, distribution of the Covid-19 vaccines is primarily the responsibility of the federal government.
Scott Morrison promised in January this year that 4 million Australians would be vaccinated against Covid-19 by the end of March. This target was shifted out in March to 4 million Australians by April 26th. As of April 2nd, 750,000 Australians have been vaccinated.
How strongly 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 | |
| I’m confident that 4 million Australians will be vaccinated against Covid-19 by April 26th | 19% | 55% | 6% | 13% | 26% | 24% | 31% |
| The federal government needs to step up and take more responsibility for ensuring Australians are vaccinated against Covid-19 as quickly as possible | 56% | 17% | 28% | 29% | 27% | 10% | 7% |
| Delays in the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines are due to circumstances outside the federal government’s control, and there’s nothing more they could have done about it | 47% | 26% | 15% | 32% | 27% | 17% | 10% |
| The slower than expected rollout indicates that the federal government is not doing as good a job as they claimed | 48% | 25% | 21% | 27% | 27% | 16% | 9% |
| TOTAL: Agree | Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | ||||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||||
| I’m confident that 4 million Australians will be vaccinated against Covid-19 by April 26th | 19% | 25% | 13% | 22% | 28% | 7% | 14% | 27% | 21% | 13% | ||
| The federal government needs to step up and take more responsibility for ensuring Australians are vaccinated against Covid-19 as quickly as possible | 56% | 58% | 55% | 51% | 56% | 61% | 65% | 53% | 62% | 54% | ||
| Delays in the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines are due to circumstances outside the federal government’s control, and there’s nothing more they could have done about it | 47% | 51% | 43% | 41% | 50% | 48% | 37% | 66% | 36% | 39% | ||
| The slower than expected rollout indicates that the federal government is not doing as good a job as they claimed | 48% | 50% | 46% | 45% | 51% | 47% | 59% | 37% | 61% | 49% | ||
| Base (n) | 1,368 | 669 | 699 | 426 | 460 | 482 | 483 | 471 | 123 | 165 | ||
- Well over half (56%) of Australians agree the federal government needs to step up and take more responsibility for ensuring Australians are vaccinated against Covid-19 as quickly as possible. Labor voters and those over 55 are the most likely to agree with this (65% and 61% respectively).
- Just under half (48%) agree the slower than expected rollout indicates that the federal government is not doing as good a job as they claimed. Labor voters and Greens voters are most likely to follow this view (59% and 61%).
- However, just under half as well (47%) agree the delays in the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines are due to circumstances outside the federal government’s control, and there’s nothing more they could have done about it. The majority of Coalition voters align with this view (66%).
- Only 19% are confident that 4 million Australians will be vaccinated against Covid-19 by the end of the month.
Views towards interstate travel during Covid-19
Q. The federal government recently announced incentives for Australians to travel to tourist destinations in Australia that have been badly affected by the lack of international visitors.
How strongly 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 | |
| As the Brisbane lockdown shows, there’s not much point in the federal government encouraging people to travel to other parts of Australia until the vaccine program has been completed | 57% | 18% | 24% | 33% | 24% | 12% | 6% |
| I would be nervous about booking a trip to another state because it’s impossible to predict if the trip will suddenly be cancelled because of a Covid-19 outbreak | 69% | 14% | 34% | 35% | 17% | 8% | 5% |
| TOTAL: Agree | Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | ||||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||||
| As the Brisbane lockdown shows, there’s not much point in the federal government encouraging people to travel to other parts of Australia until the vaccine program has been completed | 57% | 58% | 57% | 51% | 58% | 63% | 60% | 58% | 59% | 56% | ||
| I would be nervous about booking a trip to another state because it’s impossible to predict if the trip will suddenly be cancelled because of a Covid-19 outbreak | 69% | 69% | 69% | 64% | 69% | 75% | 71% | 72% | 72% | 63% | ||
| Base (n) | 1,368 | 669 | 699 | 426 | 460 | 482 | 483 | 471 | 123 | 165 | ||
- The majority (69%) of Australians agree they would be nervous about booking a trip to another state because it’s impossible to predict if the trip will suddenly be cancelled because of a Covid-19 outbreak.
- Most (57%) also agree that as the Brisbane lockdown shows, there’s not much point in the federal government encouraging people to travel to other parts of Australia until the vaccine program has been completed.
- Those over 55 are more likely to agree with these statements than younger cohorts.
COVID-19 RESEARCH
Read Essential's ongoing research on the public response to Covid-19.
Download this week's ReportEssential Report
Two Party Preferred:
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47%
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44%
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