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Action to address gender inequality in Australia
Q. To what extent do you support or oppose the following measures to address gender inequality in Australia?
| TOTAL: Support | TOTAL: Oppose | Strongly support | Somewhat support | Neither support, nor oppose | Somewhat oppose | Strongly oppose | |
| Organise a national summit of all state and federal leaders to set targets and policies to reduce violence and sexual assault | 69% | 9% | 37% | 32% | 22% | 4% | 4% |
| Implement the recommendations of the respect@work inquiry | 68% | 8% | 33% | 34% | 24% | 5% | 4% |
| Establish a specialist sexual assault court | 62% | 13% | 30% | 31% | 25% | 8% | 6% |
| Universal access to free child-care and early learning for families with young children | 60% | 16% | 30% | 30% | 24% | 9% | 8% |
| TOTAL: Support | Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | ||||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||||
| Organise a national summit of all state and federal leaders to set targets and policies to reduce violence and sexual assault | 69% | 65% | 73% | 68% | 68% | 71% | 76% | 68% | 70% | 63% | ||
| Implement the recommendations of the respect@work inquiry | 68% | 62% | 73% | 64% | 69% | 70% | 74% | 65% | 80% | 59% | ||
| Establish a specialist sexual assault court | 62% | 53% | 70% | 64% | 64% | 58% | 67% | 58% | 74% | 56% | ||
| Base (n) | 1,100 | 539 | 561 | 332 | 382 | 386 | 382 | 389 | 92 | 122 | ||
- There is majority support for all of the proposed steps to address gender inequality in Australia including a national summit to reduce violence and sexual assault (69% support), implement the recommendations of the respect@work inquiry (68%) and the establishment of a specialist sexual assault court (62%).
- In all cases women were more likely than men to support making the changes. Still, over half of men support making changes.
Impact of Casualisation of work
Q. Approximately 35% of Australia’s workforce is now employed on a casual or contract basis.
Casual employees are not entitled to annual or sick leave or superannuation. They also face greater employment uncertainty. However, people choose casual work as it can provide higher wages and more flexibility in terms of hours.
Overall, do you think casual work has been good or bad for the following people or groups?
| NET: Good | NET: Bad | Very good | Quite good | Neither good, nor bad | Quite bad | Very bad | |
| Employers | 65% | 11% | 22% | 43% | 24% | 8% | 3% |
| The economy | 46% | 19% | 13% | 33% | 35% | 14% | 6% |
| Individual workers | 42% | 29% | 12% | 30% | 29% | 19% | 10% |
| The nation | 41% | 26% | 11% | 30% | 33% | 18% | 8% |
| For you personally | 30% | 17% | 12% | 18% | 53% | 9% | 8% |
- Casual labour is seen to most benefit employers (65% think casual work has been very good or quite good) and the economy (46%).
- While 42% of people think casual work has been good for individual workers, 29% think it has been very bad or quite bad.
- Around a third of people (30%) say casual work has been good for them personally.
Support for action for casual workers
Q. To what extent do you support or oppose the following measures to protect the rights of workers currently employed on casual contracts?
| TOTAL: Support | TOTAL: Oppose | Strongly support | Somewhat support | Somewhat oppose | Strongly oppose | Unsure | |
| Right of workers to convert from casual to permanent after six months constant employment if they choose | 84% | 10% | 53% | 31% | 6% | 4% | 7% |
| Recognise the status of gig-based workers who do regular hours as permanent | 80% | 8% | 44% | 37% | 5% | 3% | 12% |
| Mobile leave entitlements for casuals and contract workers (sick leave, LSL) | 74% | 14% | 41% | 33% | 10% | 5% | 11% |
| TOTAL: Support | Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | ||||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||||
| Right of workers to convert from casual to permanent after six months constant employment if they choose | 84% | 80% | 87% | 83% | 81% | 87% | 87% | 83% | 87% | 79% | ||
| Recognise the status of gig-based workers who do regular hours as permanent | 80% | 80% | 81% | 80% | 78% | 83% | 83% | 81% | 85% | 73% | ||
| Mobile leave entitlements for casuals and contract workers (sick leave, LSL) | 74% | 72% | 77% | 82% | 72% | 70% | 78% | 74% | 82% | 65% | ||
| Base (n) | 1,100 | 539 | 561 | 332 | 382 | 386 | 382 | 389 | 92 | 122 | ||
- There is strong support for greater protection of workers’ rights. 84% support the right of workers to convert from casual to permanent after six months constant employment if they choose, 80% support the recognition of the status of gig-based workers who do regular hours as permanent and 74% support the introduction of Mobile leave entitlements for casuals and contract workers.
Republic
Q. To what extent would you support or oppose Australia becoming a republic with an Australian head of state?
| Mar’21 | Nov’18 | May’18 | Jan’18 | Jan’17 | |
| TOTAL: Support | 48% | 44% | 48% | 44% | 44% |
| TOTAL: Oppose | 28% | 32% | 30% | 29% | 30% |
| Unsure | 25% | 24% | 22% | 26% | 26% |
| Base (n) | 1,100 | 1,028 | 1,025 | 1,038 | 1,015 |
| Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||||
| Strongly oppose | 16% | 18% | 14% | 9% | 14% | 23% | 14% | 20% | 6% | 23% | ||
| Somewhat oppose | 12% | 12% | 12% | 12% | 12% | 12% | 10% | 17% | 14% | 9% | ||
| Somewhat support | 24% | 23% | 26% | 27% | 24% | 22% | 26% | 25% | 23% | 19% | ||
| Strongly support | 23% | 32% | 15% | 18% | 25% | 26% | 27% | 22% | 29% | 26% | ||
| Unsure | 25% | 16% | 33% | 33% | 25% | 17% | 23% | 17% | 28% | 24% | ||
| TOTAL: Oppose | 28% | 29% | 26% | 21% | 26% | 35% | 25% | 37% | 20% | 31% | ||
| TOTAL: Support | 48% | 55% | 41% | 45% | 49% | 48% | 52% | 47% | 52% | 45% | ||
| Base (n) | 1,100 | 539 | 561 | 332 | 382 | 386 | 382 | 389 | 92 | 122 | ||
- Support for republic is now at 48%, consistent with previous years.
- Support for a republic with an Australian head of state is strongest among Labor (52%) and Greens voters (52%). Those aged over 55 were most likely to oppose the establishment of a republic (35%).
- A third of women and those aged 18-35 (both 33%) are unsure on their support or opposition to Australia becoming a republic.
Performance of Scott Morrison
Q. Do you approve or disapprove of the job Scott Morrison is doing as Prime Minister?
| Mar’21 | Feb’21 | Jan’21 | Dec’20 | Nov’20 | Oct’20 | Sep’20 | Aug’20 | Jul’20 | Jun’20 | May’20 | Apr’20 | |
| TOTAL: Approve | 62% | 65% | 61% | 62% | 66% | 63% | 64% | 66% | 63% | 65% | 64% | 59% |
| TOTAL: Disapprove | 29% | 28% | 30% | 28% | 25% | 27% | 28% | 23% | 27% | 26% | 27% | 31% |
| Don’t know | 8% | 7% | 9% | 11% | 9% | 10% | 8% | 11% | 10% | 8% | 9% | 10% |
| Base (n) | 1,124 | 1,109 | 1,084 | 1,071 | 1,010 | 1,082 | 1,076 | 1,010 | 1,054 | 1,059 | 1,093 | 1,069 |
| Total | Federal Voting Intention | ||||
| Labor | Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
| Strongly approve | 22% | 7% | 46% | 3% | 20% |
| Approve | 40% | 38% | 46% | 38% | 34% |
| Disapprove | 16% | 25% | 5% | 26% | 16% |
| Strongly disapprove | 13% | 23% | 1% | 26% | 17% |
| Don’t know | 8% | 7% | 3% | 8% | 12% |
| TOTAL: Approve | 62% | 45% | 91% | 40% | 55% |
| TOTAL: Disapprove | 29% | 48% | 6% | 51% | 33% |
| Base (n) | 1,124 | 375 | 410 | 98 | 142 |
- The Prime Minister’s approval rating has dipped back down to 62%, consistent with results in January (61%) and December (62%).
- Approval of the Prime Minister is now at 91% among Coalition supporters (93% last month) and 45% among Labor voters (49% last month).
Performance of Anthony Albanese
Q. Do you approve or disapprove of the job Anthony Albanese is doing as Opposition Leader?
| Mar’21 | Feb’21 | Jan’21 | Dec’20 | Nov’20 | Oct’20 | Sep’20 | Aug’20 | Jul’20 | Jun’20 | May’20 | Apr’20 | |
| TOTAL: Approve | 41% | 40% | 42% | 43% | 40% | 44% | 44% | 44% | 44% | 43% | 42% | 44% |
| TOTAL: Disapprove | 32% | 33% | 33% | 29% | 33% | 29% | 29% | 30% | 28% | 30% | 27% | 29% |
| Don’t know | 27% | 27% | 25% | 28% | 27% | 27% | 27% | 25% | 28% | 26% | 31% | 27% |
| Base (n) | 1,124 | 1,109 | 1,084 | 1,071 | 1,010 | 1,082 | 1,076 | 1,010 | 1,054 | 1,059 | 1,093 | 1,069 |
| Total | Federal Voting Intention | ||||
| Labor | Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
| Strongly approve | 9% | 11% | 7% | 6% | 17% |
| Approve | 32% | 50% | 23% | 38% | 19% |
| Disapprove | 22% | 15% | 31% | 21% | 24% |
| Strongly disapprove | 11% | 2% | 20% | 4% | 13% |
| Don’t know | 27% | 23% | 19% | 31% | 25% |
| TOTAL: Approve | 41% | 60% | 30% | 44% | 37% |
| TOTAL: Disapprove | 32% | 16% | 50% | 25% | 38% |
| Base (n) | 1,124 | 375 | 410 | 98 | 142 |
- The Opposition Leader’s approval rating is now at 41%, consistent with the level last month.
- Approval of the Opposition Leader has risen to 60% among Labor voters (from 58% in February) and is consistent at 30% among Coalition voters (31% in February).
Preferred Prime Minister
Q. Who do you think would make the better Prime Minister out of Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese?
| Mar’21 | Feb’21 | Jan’21 | Dec’20 | Nov’20 | Oct’20 | Sep’20 | Aug’20 | Jul’20 | Jun’20 | May’20 | Apr’20 | |
| Scott Morrison | 52% | 52% | 51% | 50% | 53% | 50% | 49% | 52% | 50% | 53% | 50% | 46% |
| Anthony Albanese | 26% | 24% | 25% | 24% | 24% | 25% | 26% | 22% | 27% | 23% | 25% | 27% |
| Don’t know | 22% | 24% | 25% | 26% | 24% | 25% | 25% | 26% | 23% | 24% | 25% | 27% |
| Base (n) | 1,124 | 1,109 | 1,084 | 1,071 | 1,010 | 1,082 | 1,076 | 1,010 | 1,054 | 1,059 | 1,093 | 1,069 |
| Federal Voting Intention | |||||
| Total | Labor | Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | |
| Scott Morrison | 52% | 31% | 86% | 25% | 46% |
| Anthony Albanese | 26% | 49% | 8% | 41% | 26% |
| Don’t know | 22% | 20% | 6% | 33% | 28% |
| Base (n) | 1,124 | 375 | 410 | 98 | 142 |
- Just over half of participants believe that Scott Morrison would make a better PM than Anthony Albanese (52%), while around a quarter would prefer the Opposition Leader (26%). 22% of participants don’t know who would make the better PM.
- Morrison is strongly favoured by Coalition voters, with 86% believing Morrison makes the better PM, compared to Albanese (8%).
- Just under half (49%) of Labor voters now believe Albanese would make the better PM, a notable increase since last month (42%). A third (31%) still think Morrison would make the better leader and 20% 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?
| 15/03 | 01/03 | 15/02 | 01/02 | 30/11 | 16/11 | 02/11 | 05/10 | 21/09 | 07/09 | 24/08 | 10/08 | 27/07 | |
| Very poor | 5% | 6% | 5% | 4% | 6% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 8% | 6% | 7% | 6% |
| Quite poor | 7% | 8% | 7% | 11% | 8% | 9% | 10% | 12% | 13% | 12% | 11% | 8% | 11% |
| Neither good nor poor | 18% | 24% | 19% | 19% | 19% | 18% | 24% | 22% | 21% | 22% | 22% | 21% | 20% |
| Quite good | 39% | 39% | 42% | 42% | 41% | 41% | 39% | 39% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 40% |
| Very good | 31% | 23% | 27% | 25% | 26% | 26% | 22% | 21% | 21% | 18% | 22% | 24% | 24% |
| TOTAL: Poor | 12% | 14% | 12% | 14% | 13% | 15% | 15% | 18% | 18% | 19% | 17% | 16% | 16% |
| TOTAL: Good | 70% | 62% | 69% | 67% | 67% | 67% | 61% | 60% | 61% | 59% | 61% | 63% | 64% |
| Base (n) | 1,124 | 1,074 | 1,109 | 1,092 | 1,034 | 1,010 | 1,063 | 1,066 | 1,081 | 1,076 | 1,068 | 1,010 | 1,058 |
- Rating of the federal government’s handling of Covid-19 has bounced back up to 70%, the highest rating seen in the last six months.
- This result is driven by the increase within Victoria (65% rating quite or very good, up from 51% earlier in the month).
COVID-19 RESEARCH
Read Essential's ongoing research on the public response to Covid-19.
Download this week's ReportEssential Report
Two Party Preferred:
Labor
47%
Coalition
44%
In this week's report:
- Performance of Scott Morrison
- Performance of Anthony Albanese
- Preferred Prime Minister
- Federal government response to Covid-19
- State government response to Covid-19
- Confidence in Labor government handling of Covid-19 pandemic
- Satisfaction with speed of Covid-19 vaccine rollout
- Party most responsible for slow vaccine rollout
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