Q. On January 1st 2021, the second line of Australia’s national anthem changed from, “For we are young and free” to “For we are one and free”.

To what extent do you support or oppose this change?

• Over half (54%) of Australians support the change in the national anthem’s second line from “For we are young and free” to “For we are one and free” which was implemented at the start of the year. A quarter (25%) strongly support this change.
• Support towards the national anthem change is strongest among Greens voters (65%), followed by Coalition voters (57%), Labor voters (57%) and other voters (41%).
• Those voting for independent and minor parties are the most opposed to the change (31%).

Q. Thinking about the bushfires in some parts of the country, which of the following statements is closest to your view?

•  Just under half (49%) of people think it is likely that the bushfires are linked to climate change and it is appropriate to publicly raise this issue, the highest proportion in the last three years (up from 44% this time last year). Correspondingly, fewer think it is unlikely the bushfires are linked to climate change (20%, down from 26%).
• About the same amount of people as previous years think it is likely that the bushfires are linked to climate change, but it is inappropriate to publicly raise this issue at this this time (18%).

•  About a third (32%) of those over 55 think it is unlikely the bushfires are linked to climate change, the highest among the three age brackets.
• More people aged 18-34 think it is likely that the bushfires are linked to climate change, but it is inappropriate to publicly raise this issue at this this time, than those aged 35-54 and those over 55 (26% to 17% and 12% respectively).
• The view that it is likely that the bushfires are linked to climate change and it is appropriate to publicly raise this issue is high; this is highest among Greens voters (65%), followed by Labor voters (58%), Coalition voters (42%) and other voters (42%).
• Minor and independent party voters and Coalition voters are the most likely to think it is unlikely the bushfires are linked to climate change (32% and 28% respectively).

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?

• There has been little shift in attitudes to the acceptance of climate change over recent years. Over half of people (58%) believe climate change is happening and is caused by human activity.
• Over a third still believe we are just witnessing a normal fluctuation in the earth’s climate (32%) and 10% aren’t sure which they believe. 

• Acceptance that climate change is happening and is caused by human activity is high across all voters, but highest among Greens voters (78%) and Labor voters (67%), followed by Coalition voters (50%) and other voters (45%).
• Climate change denial is highest among Coalition voters (43%), those over 55 (40%) and men (36%), whom are the most likely to believe we are just witnessing a normal fluctuation in the earth’s climate.

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

• Over a third (35%) of people think Australia is doing enough to address climate change, the highest proportion in the last five years.
• 42% still think not enough is being done, however this is a significant drop from last year (62%) and the years before.
• 10% think Australia is doing too much to address climate change and 13% don’t know. Both figures are similar to previous years. 

• Greens voters are the most likely to think Australia is not doing enough to address climate change (69%), followed by Labor voters (56%).
• Compared to other voters, Coalition voters are the most likely to think enough is being done (52%), and those voting for minor and independent parties are the most likely to think Australia is doing too much for climate change (21%).
• Women are more likely to think not enough is being done to address climate change than men (48% to 36% respectively).

Q. Do you approve or disapprove of the job Scott Morrison is doing as Prime Minister?

• 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).

Q. Do you approve or disapprove of the job Anthony Albanese is doing as Opposition Leader?

• The Opposition Leader’s approval rating is now 43% (40% in November) and about the same as ratings seen throughout the year.

Q. Who do you think would make the better Prime Minister out of Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese?

• 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.

Q. Thinking about the last 12 months, has it been a good or bad year for each of the following?

• 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).