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Easing restrictions
Q. When do you think governments should start to ease the restrictions on travel and gatherings to allow offices, shops, restaurants, other workplaces, and public spaces to start operating again?
| 25/05 | 18/05 | 11/05 | 04/05 | 27/04 | 20/04 | |
| As soon as possible | 14% | 9% | 13% | 10% | 10% | 9% |
| Within the next 1 to 2 weeks | 10% | 13% | 12% | 9% | 7% | 6% |
| Within the next month | 23% | 23% | 22% | 21% | 18% | 14% |
| By the end of next month | 17% | 22% | 20% | 15% | 15% | 13% |
| It is too soon to consider easing restrictions | 27% | 25% | 27% | 37% | 42% | 49% |
| Unsure | 9% | 8% | 6% | 8% | 8% | 10% |
| Base (n) | 1,087 | 1,073 | 1,067 | 1,093 | 1,054 | 1,051 |
| Gender | Age Group | ||||||
| Total | Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | ||
| As soon as possible | 14% | 18% | 10% | 17% | 12% | 14% | |
| Within the next 1 to 2 weeks | 10% | 11% | 10% | 12% | 9% | 10% | |
| Within the next month | 23% | 24% | 23% | 24% | 22% | 23% | |
| By the end of next month | 17% | 17% | 17% | 15% | 18% | 18% | |
| It is too soon to consider easing restrictions | 27% | 22% | 31% | 23% | 29% | 28% | |
| Unsure | 9% | 8% | 9% | 9% | 10% | 7% | |
| Base (n) | 1,087 | 534 | 553 | 341 | 364 | 382 | |
Continuation of short-term measures
Q. The Federal Government has introduced some short-term measures to help people financially deal with the Covid-19 outbreak. For each of the following, how long do you think do you think the schemes should continue?
| Should end as soon as possible | Should end at current set date | Should continue after the current end date | Unsure | |
| Providing free childcare for children in early childhood education
(Due to end 28th June 2020) |
14% | 33% | 36% | 17% |
| Increase to JobSeeker payments to $1,115 per fortnight
(Due to end 24th September 2020) |
21% | 28% | 36% | 15% |
| Provision of JobKeeper wage subsidy of $1,500 per fortnight to eligible employers for each eligible worker
(Due to end 24th September 2020) |
17% | 36% | 32% | 14% |
| TOTAL: Should continue after the current end date | Gender | Age Group | ||||
| Total | Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | |
| Providing free childcare for children in early childhood education | 36% | 39% | 33% | 43% | 34% | 31% |
| Increase to JobSeeker payments to $1,115 per fortnight | 36% | 39% | 33% | 42% | 36% | 30% |
| Provision of JobKeeper wage subsidy of $1,500 per fortnight to eligible employers for each eligible worker | 32% | 35% | 30% | 38% | 32% | 27% |
| Base (n) | 1,087 | 534 | 553 | 341 | 364 | 382 |
- One-third of participants say that providing feed childcare, and increasing JobSeeker payments should continue after the current end date (both 36%).
- 18-34 year olds are most likely to say any of the short-term measures should continue after the current end date, whereas 55+ year olds are least likely to support continuing these measures.
- Men are more likely to support continuing the increased JobSeeker payments after 24th September 2020 (39%) than women (33%).
Chinese Barley Tariffs
Q. Last week the Chinese government imposed tariffs on Australian barley exports, costing farmers millions of dollars through lost revenue. To what extent do you agree or disagree about the following statements about international trade with China?
| NET: Agree | NET: Disagree | Strongly agree | Somewhat agree | Neither agree, nor disagree | Somewhat disagree | Strongly disagree | Unsure | |
| The Australian government needs to stand up to the Chinese Government and demand an open inquiry into the origins of Covid-19 | 66% | 9% | 44% | 22% | 14% | 5% | 4% | 11% |
| The Chinese government imposed the tariffs in response to Australia leading calls for an independent inquiry into the origins of Covid-19 | 57% | 15% | 36% | 20% | 16% | 7% | 7% | 13% |
| The Australian government needs to do all it can to avoid a trade war with China | 53% | 17% | 28% | 25% | 19% | 11% | 7% | 11% |
| Australia should impose tariffs on imports from China in retaliation | 48% | 22% | 27% | 21% | 19% | 14% | 7% | 12% |
| Australia should work towards an agreement with China to remove the tariffs on barley, whatever the conditions | 47% | 23% | 20% | 27% | 19% | 12% | 11% | 11% |
| NET: Agree | Age Group | Age Group | ||||||
| Total | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | NET: Coalition | Greens | NET: Other | |
| The Australian government needs to stand up to the Chinese Government and demand an open inquiry into the origins of Covid-19 | 66% | 52% | 66% | 78% | 60% | 76% | 59% | 69% |
| The Chinese government imposed the tariffs in response to Australia leading calls for an independent inquiry into the origins of Covid-19 | 57% | 46% | 57% | 65% | 59% | 66% | 47% | 52% |
| The Australian government needs to do all it can to avoid a trade war with China | 53% | 49% | 51% | 57% | 58% | 57% | 52% | 36% |
| Australia should impose tariffs on imports from China in retaliation | 48% | 39% | 50% | 53% | 46% | 54% | 42% | 52% |
| Australia should work towards an agreement with China to remove the tariffs on barley, whatever the conditions | 47% | 38% | 48% | 54% | 51% | 52% | 42% | 35% |
| Base (n) | 1,087 | 341 | 364 | 382 | 323 | 428 | 100 | 120 |
- Two-thirds (66%) of participants agree the Australian government needs to stand up to the Chinese Government and demand an open inquiry into the origins of Covid-19.
- More than half of participants agree the Chinese government imposed the tariffs in response to Australia leading calls for an independent inquiry into the origins of Covid-19 (57%) or the Australian government needs to do all it can to avoid a trade war with China (53%).
- Less than half of participants agree that Australia should impose tariffs on imports from China in retaliation (48%) or Australia should work towards an agreement with China to remove the tariffs on barley, whatever the conditions (47%).
- Coalition voters are most likely to agree that the government needs to stand up to the Chinese Government and demand an open inquiry into the origins of Covid-19 (76%); while Labor (60%) and Greens (59%) voters are less likely to agree.
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?
| NET: Positive | NET: Negative | Very positive | Somewhat positive | Somewhat negative | Very negative | Unsure | |
| Australia’s defence, military, and national security | 25% | 51% | 9% | 17% | 27% | 24% | 24% |
| Australia’s international trade | 28% | 58% | 7% | 22% | 26% | 31% | 14% |
| Australia’s culture | 35% | 44% | 9% | 26% | 23% | 21% | 22% |
| Australia’s politics | 23% | 59% | 7% | 16% | 31% | 28% | 18% |
| Chinese corporations and businesses operating in Australia | 22% | 62% | 4% | 17% | 27% | 35% | 17% |
| NET: Positive influence | May’20 | Aug’19 | Change |
| Australia’s defence, military, and national security | 25% | 33% | -8% |
| Australia’s international trade | 28% | 59% | -31% |
| Australia’s culture | 35% | 43% | -8% |
| Australia’s politics | 23% | 30% | -7% |
| Chinese corporations and businesses operating in Australia | 22% | 41% | -19% |
| Base | 1,087 | 1,096 | – |
| NET: Positive influence | Gender | Age Group | |||||
| Total | Male | Female | Labor | NET: Coalition | Greens | NET: Other | |
| Australia’s defence, military, and national security | 25% | 30% | 21% | 23% | 33% | 19% | 21% |
| Australia’s international trade | 28% | 34% | 23% | 28% | 31% | 30% | 24% |
| Australia’s culture | 35% | 38% | 31% | 36% | 34% | 41% | 30% |
| Australia’s politics | 23% | 26% | 20% | 21% | 28% | 18% | 17% |
| Chinese corporations and businesses operating in Australia | 22% | 28% | 16% | 25% | 23% | 19% | 18% |
| Base (n) | 1,087 | 534 | 553 | 323 | 428 | 100 | 120 |
- Compared to August 2019, participants are less likely to rate China’s influence on Australia as positive – particularly in international trade (down 31%) and Chinese corporations operating in Australia (down 19%).
Influence of the United States of America
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 | 54% | 25% | 15% | 39% | 17% | 8% | 20% |
| Australia’s international trade | 48% | 34% | 11% | 36% | 23% | 11% | 19% |
| Australia’s culture | 43% | 36% | 10% | 33% | 25% | 11% | 20% |
| Australia’s politics | 41% | 39% | 10% | 31% | 26% | 13% | 20% |
| American corporations and businesses operating in Australia | 47% | 32% | 10% | 38% | 22% | 10% | 21% |
| TOTAL: Positive influence | May’20 | Aug’19 | Change |
| Australia’s defence, military, and national security | 54% | 65% | -11% |
| Australia’s international trade | 48% | 56% | -8% |
| Australia’s culture | 43% | 51% | -8% |
| Australia’s politics | 41% | 43% | -2% |
| American corporations and businesses operating in Australia | 47% | 57% | -10% |
| Base | 1,087 | 1,096 | – |
| NET: Positive influence | Gender | Age Group | |||||
| Total | Male | Female | Labor | NET: Coalition | Greens | NET: Other | |
| Australia’s defence, military, and national security | 54% | 60% | 49% | 48% | 67% | 36% | 58% |
| Australia’s international trade | 48% | 53% | 42% | 45% | 58% | 35% | 45% |
| Australia’s culture | 43% | 49% | 38% | 42% | 52% | 28% | 47% |
| Australia’s politics | 41% | 47% | 35% | 34% | 55% | 23% | 39% |
| American corporations and businesses operating in Australia | 47% | 53% | 42% | 40% | 60% | 33% | 45% |
| Base (n) | 1,087 | 534 | 553 | 323 | 428 | 100 | 120 |
- Compared to August 2019, participants are less likely to see the United States of America as a positive influence on Australia; with defence and American corporations operating in Australia seeing the largest drop (down 11% and 10%) respectively.
- Coalition voters are more likely to rate America’s influence on Australia as positive, than Greens voters.
Most beneficial country to strengthen our relationship with
Q. Given the choice between the United States of America and China, which country do you think it would be most beneficial for Australia strengthen our relationship with?
| Gender | Age Group | ||||||
| Total | Male | Female | Labor | NET: Coalition | Greens | NET: Other | |
| United States of America | 42% | 46% | 39% | 36% | 56% | 16% | 48% |
| China | 18% | 22% | 15% | 22% | 15% | 25% | 15% |
| Neither | 24% | 20% | 27% | 29% | 18% | 37% | 26% |
| Don’t know | 16% | 11% | 19% | 12% | 10% | 21% | 10% |
| Base (n) | 1,087 | 534 | 553 | 323 | 428 | 100 | 120 |
| May’20 | Aug’19 | Change | |
| United States of America | 42% | 38% | 4% |
| China | 18% | 28% | -10% |
| Neither | 24% | 18% | 6% |
| Don’t know | 16% | 15% | 1% |
| Base | 1,087 | 1,096 | – |
- Now 42% of participants believe it would be more beneficial to strength our relationship with the United States of America (up 4%), but a quarter say we should strengthen our relationship with neither country (24%, up 6%).
- Coalition voters are most likely to say we should strengthen our relationship with America (56%), while Greens voters would prefer to strengthen our relationship with neither country (37%).
Closer or more distant social connections
Q. Since the start of the lockdown restrictions, do you feel closer or more distant from each of the following people in your life?
| My partner | My children | My extended family | My neighbours | My friends | My workmates | |
| I feel closer | 36% | 35% | 18% | 13% | 13% | 11% |
| It has not affected our relationship | 53% | 52% | 55% | 64% | 52% | 53% |
| I feel more distant | 11% | 13% | 27% | 23% | 34% | 36% |
| Base | 797 | 716 | 964 | 942 | 1,012 | 680 |
| TOTAL: I feel closer | Gender | Age Group | |||||
| Total | Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | ||
| My partner | 36% | 36% | 36% | 49% | 36% | 24% | |
| My children | 35% | 32% | 38% | 50% | 41% | 22% | |
| My extended family | 18% | 18% | 18% | 24% | 19% | 13% | |
| My neighbours | 13% | 14% | 12% | 15% | 13% | 12% | |
| My friends | 13% | 13% | 14% | 19% | 11% | 11% | |
| My workmates | 11% | 11% | 11% | 13% | 11% | 8% | |
| TOTAL: I feel more distant | Gender | Age Group | |||||
| Total | Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | ||
| My partner | 11% | 11% | 11% | 15% | 12% | 6% | |
| My children | 13% | 13% | 12% | 11% | 10% | 15% | |
| My extended family | 27% | 26% | 28% | 31% | 27% | 24% | |
| My neighbours | 23% | 21% | 24% | 23% | 21% | 24% | |
| My friends | 34% | 32% | 36% | 42% | 34% | 28% | |
| My workmates | 36% | 34% | 39% | 47% | 32% | 24% | |
- More than half of participants don’t feel closer or more distant to the social connections in their life, varying between 64% for neighbours and 52% for children and friends.
- 18-34 year olds are most likely to say they feel closer to their partner (49%), children (50%) and extended family (24%) – but more distant from their friends (42%) and workmates (47%).
- Participants over 55 are most likely to say their social connections haven’t been affected by the lockdown restrictions.
Coronavirus concerns
Q. To what extent are you concerned about the threat of Covid-19 (coronavirus) in Australia?
| 18/05 | 11/05 | 04/05 | 27/04 | 20/04 | 13/04 | 06/04 | 29/03 | 22/03 | 09/03 | 10/02 | |
| Very concerned | 33% | 34% | 32% | 39% | 44% | 45% | 51% | 53% | 39% | 27% | 25% |
| Quite concerned | 47% | 49% | 46% | 44% | 43% | 43% | 37% | 35% | 43% | 36% | 43% |
| Not that concerned | 16% | 14% | 18% | 13% | 11% | 9% | 10% | 10% | 14% | 28% | 26% |
| Not at all concerned | 4% | 3% | 4% | 3% | 2% | 3% | 2% | 3% | 4% | 9% | 6% |
| Base (n) | 1,073 | 1,067 | 1,093 | 1,054 | 1,051 | 1,068 | 1,069 | 1,086 | 1,034 | 1,096 | 1,057 |
| Age group | Location | |||||
| Total | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Capital | Non-Capital | |
| Very concerned | 33% | 32% | 33% | 35% | 35% | 30% |
| Quite concerned | 47% | 46% | 45% | 50% | 46% | 48% |
| Not that concerned | 16% | 17% | 18% | 13% | 15% | 16% |
| Not at all concerned | 4% | 5% | 4% | 3% | 4% | 5% |
| Base (n) | 1,073 | 339 | 349 | 385 | 730 | 343 |
- In the only significant change from last week, the proportion of 35-54 year olds who are very concerned about the threat of Covid-19 drops from 39% to 33%.
COVID-19 RESEARCH
Read Essential's ongoing research on the public response to Covid-19.
Download this week's ReportEssential Report
Two Party Preferred: 14 May 2019
Labor
51.5%-0.5
Coalition
48.5%+0.5
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