Essential Report
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Climate change and bushfires
Q. Thinking about the bushfires in Queensland and New South Wales, which of the following statements is closest to your view?
| Nov’19 | Oct’13 | |
| It is likely that the bushfires are linked to climate change and it is appropriate to publicly raise this issue | 43% | 27% |
| It is likely that the bushfires are linked to climate change but it is inappropriate to publicly raise this issue at this this time | 17% | 14% |
| It is unlikely the bushfires are linked to climate change | 30% | 48% |
| Don’t know | 11% | 11% |
| Base (n) | 1,083 | 1,075 |
| Total | Gender | Age | Voting Intention | |||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | Coalition | Greens | NET: Other | ||
| It is likely that the bushfires are linked to climate change and it is appropriate to publicly raise this issue | 43% | 39% | 46% | 54% | 41% | 35% | 53% | 31% | 73% | 30% |
| It is likely that the bushfires are linked to climate change but it is inappropriate to publicly raise this issue at this this time | 17% | 22% | 12% | 22% | 17% | 13% | 19% | 20% | 7% | 13% |
| It is unlikely the bushfires are linked to climate change | 30% | 29% | 30% | 15% | 29% | 43% | 19% | 40% | 6% | 50% |
| Don’t know | 11% | 9% | 12% | 9% | 13% | 9% | 9% | 9% | 13% | 7% |
| Base (n) | 1,083 | 527 | 556 | 329 | 369 | 385 | 342 | 373 | 93 | 162 |
- 43% now think It likely that the bushfires are linked to climate change and it is appropriate to publicly raise this issue. When this question was last asked in 2013, 27% gave this answer.
- The proportion of people who 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 has remained fairly constant. 17% saying this in 2019, and 14% in 2013.
- Those least likely to think bushfires are linked to climate change and it is appropriate to publicly raise this issue are Coalition (31%) and other minor party and independent voters (31%).
Medivac Bill
Q. Earlier this year, the Federal Parliament passed legislation to allow doctors, not politicians, more say in determining the appropriate medical treatment offered to people in offshore detention. This may include medical evacuation (Medivac) transfer to Australia if necessary.
Which of the following statements most closely aligns with your views of this legislation?
| Nov’19 | Sep’19 | Feb’19 | |
| This legislation does not go far enough to provide humane treatment for people in offshore detention | 25% | 23% | 16% |
| This legislation strikes a balance between strong borders and humane treatment for people in offshore detention | 37% | 41% | 38% |
| This legislation will weaken our borders and result in boats arriving in Australia as they have in the past | 22% | 20% | 30% |
| Unsure | 17% | 18% | 16% |
| Base (n) | 1,083 | 1,093 | 1,085 |
| Total | Gender | Age | ||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | ||
| This legislation does not go far enough to provide humane treatment for people in offshore detention | 25% | 24% | 26% | 28% | 26% | 21% |
| This legislation strikes a balance between strong borders and humane treatment for people in offshore detention | 37% | 39% | 35% | 42% | 34% | 35% |
| This legislation will weaken our borders and result in boats arriving in Australia as they have in the past | 22% | 23% | 20% | 10% | 21% | 33% |
| Unsure | 17% | 14% | 19% | 20% | 20% | 11% |
| Base (n) | 1,083 | 527 | 556 | 329 | 369 | 385 |
| Total | Voting Intention | ||||
| Labor | Coalition | Greens | NET: Other | ||
| This legislation does not go far enough to provide humane treatment for people in offshore detention | 25% | 33% | 15% | 51% | 19% |
| This legislation strikes a balance between strong borders and humane treatment for people in offshore detention | 37% | 38% | 44% | 29% | 27% |
| This legislation will weaken our borders and result in boats arriving in Australia as they have in the past | 22% | 14% | 29% | 6% | 39% |
| Unsure | 17% | 15% | 12% | 15% | 15% |
| Base (n) | 1,083 | 342 | 373 | 93 | 162 |
- A quarter of people (25%) believe that the Medivac legislation does not go far enough to provide humane treatment for people in offshore detention. This has increased from earlier this year in February, when just 16% believed so.
- 37% believe that the Medivac legislation strikes a balance between strong borders and humane treatment for people in offshore detention – the same level as in Feb’19 (38%).
Performance of Scott Morrison
Q. Do you approve or disapprove of the job Scott Morrison is doing as Prime Minister?
| Nov’19 | Oct’19 | Sep’19 | Aug’19 | Jul’19 | Jun’19 | |
| NET: Approve | 45% | 47% | 49% | 48% | 48% | 48% |
| NET: Disapprove | 41% | 38% | 36% | 37% | 34% | 36% |
| Don’t know | 13% | 15% | 15% | 16% | 18% | 18% |
| Base (n) | 1,075 | 1,088 | 1,093 | 1,096 | 1,091 | 1,099 |
| Total | Voting Intention | ||||
| Labor | Coalition | Greens | NET: Other | ||
| Strongly approve | 12% | 4% | 27% | 2% | 3% |
| Approve | 33% | 22% | 56% | 13% | 31% |
| Disapprove | 21% | 32% | 10% | 28% | 27% |
| Strongly disapprove | 20% | 32% | 2% | 43% | 27% |
| Don’t know | 13% | 11% | 5% | 15% | 12% |
| NET: Approve | 45% | 25% | 83% | 15% | 34% |
| NET: Disapprove | 41% | 64% | 11% | 71% | 54% |
| Base (n) | 1,075 | 325 | 377 | 107 | 155 |
- There is a slight drop in the approval rating of the Prime Minister this month, with the 45% of participants approving of the job, down from 47% last month and 49% in September.
- The vast majority of Coalition voters approve of Morrison’s performance as PM, with 83% approval (on par with 84% approval last month), compared to just 11% of Coalition voters who disapprove.
- The main drivers of the decline in the PMs approval rating are men (approval now at 47%, down from 53% in October), Queensland residents (40%, down from 47% last month) and residents aged 18-34 (41%, down from 50% last month).
Performance of Anthony Albanese
Q. Do you approve or disapprove of the job Anthony Albanese is doing as Opposition Leader?
| Nov’19 | Oct’19 | Sep’19 | Aug’19 | Jul’19 | Jun’19 | |
| NET: Approve | 37% | 40% | 36% | 38% | 39% | 35% |
| NET: Disapprove | 34% | 29% | 31% | 29% | 24% | 25% |
| Don’t know | 29% | 31% | 33% | 33% | 37% | 39% |
| Base (n) | 1,075 | 1,088 | 1,093 | 1,096 | 1,091 | 1,099 |
| Total | Voting Intention | ||||
| Labor | Coalition | Greens | NET: Other | ||
| Strongly approve | 6% | 12% | 3% | 6% | 3% |
| Approve | 31% | 45% | 32% | 25% | 16% |
| Disapprove | 24% | 19% | 28% | 30% | 32% |
| Strongly disapprove | 9% | 2% | 14% | 7% | 18% |
| Don’t know | 29% | 23% | 22% | 32% | 31% |
| NET: Approve | 37% | 57% | 35% | 31% | 19% |
| NET: Disapprove | 34% | 21% | 43% | 37% | 50% |
| Base (n) | 1,075 | 325 | 377 | 107 | 155 |
- Anthony Albanese has 37% approval as Opposition Leader, but just under one third (29%) don’t know how to rate his performance. More respondents are able to provide a rating on Albanese’s performance now, than when he first took over the position in June, when 39% recorded a response of don’t know.
- Approval with Albanese’s performance is driven by Labor party voters (57%), participants with a university education (47%) and males (43%).
Preferred Prime Minister
Q. Who do you think would makes the better Prime Minister out of Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese?
| Nov’19 | Oct’19 | Sep’19 | Aug’19 | Jul’19 | Jun’19 | |
| Scott Morrison | 44% | 43% | 46% | 44% | 44% | 43% |
| Anthony Albanese | 28% | 28% | 25% | 28% | 26% | 25% |
| Don’t know | 29% | 29% | 29% | 28% | 31% | 32% |
| Base (n) | 1,075 | 1,088 | 1,093 | 1,096 | 1,091 | 1,099 |
| Total | Gender | Age | ||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | ||
| Scott Morrison | 44% | 47% | 41% | 38% | 40% | 52% |
| Anthony Albanese | 28% | 30% | 25% | 33% | 25% | 26% |
| Don’t know | 29% | 23% | 34% | 29% | 35% | 22% |
| Base (n) | 1,075 | 526 | 549 | 327 | 371 | 377 |
- More than two-fifths of participants think that Scott Morrison makes the better PM (44%), which is on par with previous months from mid-2019 (between 43% and 46% since June).
- 29% don’t know who would make the better PM between Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese.
Protest Activity
Q. Have you personally ever taken part in any of the following…?
| Total | Gender | Age | ||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | ||
| Signed an online petition | 44% | 39% | 48% | 45% | 44% | 42% |
| Signed a written petition | 39% | 37% | 41% | 33% | 34% | 50% |
| Attended a march or rally | 17% | 18% | 16% | 24% | 12% | 16% |
| Gone on strike from work | 13% | 18% | 8% | 13% | 10% | 14% |
| Signed up to an online political campaign | 10% | 11% | 10% | 16% | 9% | 7% |
| None of these | 37% | 39% | 35% | 31% | 41% | 39% |
| NET: Any of these | 63% | 61% | 65% | 69% | 59% | 61% |
| Base (n) | 1,075 | 526 | 549 | 327 | 371 | 377 |
- Almost two-thirds (63%) of people have ever participated in a protest activity – either attending a strike or rally, or signing up to a petition or campaign.
- Signing online and written petitions are the most popular forms of protest (44% and 39% respectively have done this). Less than a fifth have ever a march or rally (17%) and 13% have been on strike.
- Women are more likely than men to have signed petitions (48% to 39% for online petitions and 41% to 37% for written petitions), while men are more likely to have been on strike (18% to 8%).
- People aged 18-34 are more likely than other to have attended a protest or rally (24% compared to 14% of those aged 35+).
| Total | Voting Intention | ||||
| Labor | Coalition | Greens | NET: Other | ||
| Signed an online petition | 44% | 43% | 37% | 71% | 59% |
| Signed a written petition | 39% | 37% | 39% | 51% | 50% |
| Attended a march or rally | 17% | 16% | 13% | 43% | 21% |
| Gone on strike from work | 13% | 17% | 10% | 12% | 12% |
| Signed up to an online political campaign | 10% | 11% | 9% | 18% | 13% |
| None of these | 37% | 38% | 39% | 18% | 31% |
| NET: Any of these | 63% | 62% | 61% | 82% | 69% |
| Base (n) | 1,075 | 325 | 377 | 107 | 155 |
- Greens voters are most likely to have participated in any activity (82%), with signing online petitions (71%), written petitions (51%) and attending marches or rallies (43%) being most popular.
- Those with a university education are more likely to have participated in protest activities are (69% to 60% of all others). They are more likely to have attended a march or rally (24% to 14%), gone on strike (18% to 10%) and signed up to an online campaign (16% to 8%).
Support for Right to Protest laws
Q. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements regarding the right to protest in Australia?
| NET: Agree | NET: Disagree | Strongly agree | Somewhat agree | Somewhat disagree | Strongly disagree | Unsure | |
| The right to peaceful protest is a fundamental part of a democratic society | 82% | 10% | 51% | 31% | 7% | 3% | 9% |
| Government has the right to limit citizen protests when it disrupts businesses | 58% | 31% | 26% | 32% | 17% | 15% | 11% |
| Protestors should have the right to pressure banks not to invest in companies that are building coal mines | 53% | 33% | 23% | 30% | 18% | 15% | 14% |
| Government has the right to limit citizen protests when it is contrary to the national interest | 47% | 41% | 20% | 28% | 22% | 19% | 12% |
- A large majority of people agree that the right to peaceful protest is a fundamental part of a democratic society (82%), with half (51%) strongly agreeing.
- 58% agree that the Government has the right to limit citizen protests when it disrupts businesses (31% disagree), and 53% agree that protestors should have the right to pressure banks not to invest in companies that are building coal mines (33% disagree).
- Agreement was split for the statement ‘Government has the right to limit citizen protests when it is contrary to the national interest’ with 47% agreeing, and 41% disagreeing.
| NET: AGREE | Total | Gender | Age | ||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | |||
| The right to peaceful protest is a fundamental part of a democratic society | 82% | 84% | 79% | 75% | 83% | 86% | |
| Government has the right to limit citizen protests when it disrupts businesses | 58% | 60% | 56% | 54% | 58% | 62% | |
| Protestors should have the right to pressure banks not to invest in companies that are building coal mines | 53% | 54% | 52% | 60% | 52% | 48% | |
| Government has the right to limit citizen protests when it is contrary to the national interest | 47% | 50% | 45% | 41% | 48% | 52% | |
| Base (n) | 1,075 | 526 | 549 | 327 | 371 | 377 | |
- Older respondents (those aged over 55) were more likely than younger people (18-34) to agree that the right to peaceful protest is a fundamental part of a democratic society (86% to 75%), that the Government has the right to limit citizen protests when it disrupts businesses (62% to 54%), and that the Government has the right to limit citizen protests when it is contrary to the national interest (52% to 41%).
- Over 55s are less likely to agree that protestors should have the right to pressure banks not to invest in companies that are building coal mines (60% to 48%).
| NET: AGREE | Total | Voting Intention | Protest Activity | ||||
| Labor | Coalition | Greens | NET: Other | Participated in protest activity | Not participated in protest activity | ||
| The right to peaceful protest is a fundamental part of a democratic society | 82% | 84% | 86% | 89% | 85% | 87% | 72% |
| Government has the right to limit citizen protests when it disrupts businesses | 58% | 48% | 78% | 33% | 61% | 58% | 59% |
| Protestors should have the right to pressure banks not to invest in companies that are building coal mines | 53% | 60% | 47% | 80% | 49% | 60% | 41% |
| Government has the right to limit citizen protests when it is contrary to the national interest | 47% | 39% | 65% | 22% | 49% | 47% | 49% |
| Base (n) | 1,075 | 325 | 377 | 107 | 155 | 682 | 393 |
- Coalition voters were most likely to agree that the Government has the right to limit citizen protests when it disrupts businesses (78%) and that the Government has the right to limit citizen protests when it is contrary to the national interest (65%). However they were least likely to agree that protestors should have the right to pressure banks not to invest in companies that are building coal mines (47%).
- Those who have participated in a protest activity are more likely than those who have not to agree with the statements ‘The right to peaceful protest is a fundamental part of a democratic society’ (87% to 72%) and ‘Protestors should have the right to pressure banks not to invest in companies that are building coal mines oppose the proposed changes’ (46% to 27%).
Support for Right to Protest laws
Q. Scott Morrison has flagged changing the law to stop environmental and other civil society groups or consumers campaigning against big resource projects. This change could make consumer or environmental boycotts illegal.
Based on what you understand, to what extent do you support or oppose the Prime Minister’s proposal?
| Gender | Age | |||||
| Total | Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | |
| Strongly support | 14% | 18% | 11% | 12% | 11% | 19% |
| Somewhat support | 19% | 20% | 18% | 23% | 16% | 18% |
| Neither support, nor oppose | 28% | 24% | 31% | 29% | 33% | 22% |
| Somewhat oppose | 15% | 13% | 17% | 12% | 18% | 15% |
| Strongly oppose | 24% | 25% | 23% | 24% | 22% | 26% |
| NET: Support | 33% | 38% | 29% | 35% | 27% | 37% |
| NET: Oppose | 39% | 38% | 40% | 36% | 40% | 41% |
| Base (n) | 1,075 | 526 | 549 | 327 | 371 | 377 |
- Overall, there was more opposition to support for the Government’s proposals stop environmental and other civil society groups or consumers campaigning against big resource projects (39% to 33%). 28% neither support nor oppose the proposals.
- Support was highest among men (38%) and those aged 55+ (37%).
| Total | Voting Intention | Protest Activity | ||||||
| Labor | Coalition | Greens | NET: Other | Participated in protest activity | Not participated in protest activity | |||
| Strongly support | 14% | 9% | 26% | 1% | 11% | 15% | 13% | |
| Somewhat support | 19% | 15% | 30% | 11% | 13% | 16% | 23% | |
| Neither support, nor oppose | 28% | 27% | 24% | 13% | 30% | 22% | 37% | |
| Somewhat oppose | 15% | 17% | 12% | 18% | 18% | 16% | 14% | |
| Strongly oppose | 24% | 32% | 8% | 57% | 29% | 31% | 13% | |
| NET: Support | 33% | 24% | 56% | 12% | 23% | 31% | 36% | |
| NET: Oppose | 39% | 49% | 20% | 76% | 47% | 46% | 27% | |
| Base (n) | 1,075 | 325 | 377 | 107 | 155 | 682 | 393 | |
- Just over half of Coalition voters support the Government’s proposals (56%). The proposal receives lower support among Labor (24%), Greens (12%), and minor party/independent voters (23%).
- Those who have participated in a protest activity are more likely than those who have not to oppose the proposed changes (46% to 27%).
Essential Report
Two Party Preferred: 14 May 2019
Labor
51.5%-0.5
Coalition
48.5%+0.5
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