Q. Which of the following is closer to your expectations of what will happen to the economy following the Covid-19 situation?

• There is now more uncertainty about the future of the economy than earlier in the year. 17% say they are unsure how the economy will rebound following Covid-19, up from 10% in April.
• 18% think the economy will rebound in the next 2-3 months (up from 13% in April) and 22% think Covid-19 will cause a long-term recession (down from 28%).
• However most people think there will be some growth in the economy after 6-12 months (43%).

Q. Once a vaccine for Covid-19 becomes available in Australia, how long would you wait before taking it?

• Fewer people say they would get a Covid-19 vaccine immediately than earlier in the year. 43% would get a vaccine as soon as possible, down from 56% in August. 46% would get vaccinated, but just not straight away (up from 35%) and 10% say they would never get vaccinated.
• Those most likely to get the vaccine immediately include men (53%), those aged over 55 (53%).
• Those voting for independent of minor parties are most likely to say they would never get a vaccine (19%).

Q. If you are hosting or attending a Christmas gathering this year, will there be:

• A quarter of people will be hosting or attending a smaller gathering than usual this Christmas, but more will either be hosting or attending the same size gathering as usual (34%) or more (8%).

Q. When considering your Christmas gift spending this year compared with previous years are you likely to:

• Just under half of people intend to spend about the same amount as usual on Christmas gifts (48%), but 31% say they will spend less than usual.

Q. How likely are you to give Australian made gifts this year, compared with previous years?

• Just over a third of people (34%) are somewhat more likely to give Australian made gifts this year compared with previous years, and 18% say they are much more likely to do this.

Q. Generally speaking, when Federal Liberal-National Coalition Governments make changes to industrial relations laws, do you think they tend to favour employers and businesses, employees or strike a balance between the two?

• Over half of people think changes made to industrial relations laws made by a Liberal-National government tend to favour businesses and employers (52%), while just 17% think they favour employees.
• Coalition voters are most likely to say changes made by a Coalition government strike a balance (40%), but 41% think changes favour businesses and 19% employees.

Q. The Federal Government has announced new workplace reforms requiring employers to offer permanent employment to casual workers who have been with the same employer for a year and have had regular shifts for six months during that time.

Do you expect these changes to industrial relations laws will be good or bad for the following?

• The proposed changes to the industrial relations laws are expected to be good news for those in casual work (51% think the changes will be very good, or quite good), and employees (48%).
• It is expected that there will be less benefit to small businesses (35% think the changes will very or quite good) and those looking for work (39%) as a result of the changes.

Q. According to the Fair Work Commission, “A casual employee does not have a firm commitment in advance from an employer about how long they will be employed for, or the days (or hours) they will work. A casual employee also does not commit to all work an employer might offer. For example, an employee who works to a roster that could change each week and can refuse or swap shifts is casual.”

Which of the following is closer to your view?

• Views are split on whether this is the right time to change the industrial relations laws regarding casual workers. While the majority think the laws should be changed (57%), there is a sizeable minority (43%) who believe now is not the right time to make these changes.