Q. As you may be aware, the NSW/Victorian government recently announced its roadmap to ease Covid restrictions once vaccination targets are reached.

Thinking about this roadmap out of lockdown, which of the following applies to you?

• Confidence in re-opening roadmaps is higher in NSW than Victoria.
• 48% of people in NSW understand and have confidence in the state’s re-opening plan, compared to 26% in Victoria.
• 40% of people in NSW understand the plan, but aren’t confident that it will lead to easing restrictions, compared to 50% of Victorians.

Q. The Covid-19 vaccine rollout is underway in Australia.

Which of the following best describes your situation? 

• Uptake of the Covid-19 vaccine continues to increase, with 75% having received at least a first dose. A further 9% are waiting to receive a first dose they have already booked in.
• Overall, 7% of people say they do not intend to get a vaccine, but this is highest among those intending to vote for a minor party at 23% (e.g. One Nation or UAP) or an independent candidate at the next federal election.

Q. Which of the following do you think should be Australia’s long-term approach to safely quarantining international travellers?

• There has been a shift in attitudes towards quarantine requirements in the past three months. Preference for international travellers to stay in home quarantine has doubled since June, from 16% to 32%.
• Meanwhile, those preferring purpose-built quarantine facilities has declined from 65% to 49%, though this remains the most preferred solution.
• Switching preference from purpose-built quarantine to at-home is seen across all demographics, for example with both men and women are less likely to prefer purpose-built quarantine facilities (men falling from 60% to 47% and women from 71% to 51%).
• There continues to be little support for hotel quarantine as a long-term solution, with just 6% selecting this option (9% in June).

Q. Which party would you trust most to handle the following issues?

• The Liberal party is most trusted to handle national security (41%, 13pts higher than Labor), manage the economy (41%, 10pts higher than Labor) and maintain international relations (37%, 5pts ahead of Labor).
• Labor are most trusted to handle fair wages and workplace conditions (46%, 18pt ahead of Liberals), address climate change (39%, 13pts ahead of Liberals), protect Australian jobs and local industries (41%, 9pts over Liberals) and increase housing affordability (38%, 9pts over Liberals).
• There is little difference in trust between the two major parties to ensure the quality of healthcare or education systems.
• The difference in trust between the parties is mostly similar to last time this was tested in October 2019.

Q. To what extent do you support or oppose Australia developing nuclear power plants for the generation of electricity?

• Half of Australians say they would support Australia developing nuclear power-plants, but a third would oppose. The issue is divisive, with similar proportion of people strongly supporting (20%) and strongly opposing (17%) nuclear power in Australia.
• Support for nuclear power is highest among men (59%), those aged over 55 (55%) and Coalition voters (65%).

Q. As you may be aware, many of Australia’s coal-fired power stations are reaching the end of their operational lives and will soon need to be replaced.

Which of the following would you prefer that the government supported?

• Renewable energy is the preferred power for the future for the majority of Australians (65%).
• One in five (20%) say they want the government to prioritise support for nuclear power.
• Fossil fuels receive little support – with just 8% wanting government support for coal or gas.
• The majority of all demographics want the government to prioritise support for renewables.

Q. To what extent would you support or oppose using nuclear energy sources for the following?

• Following the AUKUS submarine partnership announcement last week, 47% say they support the use of nuclear power to fuel vessels for the Royal Australian Navy. A similar proportion support the introduction of nuclear power generation (47%).
• There is less enthusiasm for nuclear weapons, with less than a third (29%) supporting this, and higher opposition to the idea of Australia developing nuclear weapons (37%).
• Those most likely to be supportive of all forms of nuclear technology are men and Coalition voters. Older people are more supportive than younger people of nuclear submarines and power generation.

Q. Australia recently announced a trilateral partnership with the US and UK (known as AUKUS) which will deliver a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines for Australia.

The new security pact sees Australia cancel its previous deal with France’s Naval Group to build conventionally powered submarines.

How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the new AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine partnership?

• While 62% think it is good for Australia to strengthen relations with the US and UK through the AUKUS partnership, 55% acknowledge it will strain the trading relationship with China and 48% see the risk to relationships with France and other EU countries.
• Just over half think the AUKUS partnership is in Australia’s best economic and security interests (54%).
• The partnership appeals to Coalition voters, who are most likely to think it is right to build strong relations with the UK and US (78%) and agree that the deal is in Australia’s best interests (72%).