Addressing Climate Change

Q. As far as you know, do you think Australia is doing enough, not enough or too much to address climate change?

Coronavirus concerns

Q. To what extent are you concerned about the threat of the Coronavirus in Australia?

• Concern about the threat of the Covid-19 virus has increased this week as the impact of the outbreak affects more of the country. 39% are now very concerned by the threat (up from 27% at the start of the month), while 43% say they are quite concerned (up from 36%).
• Concern is highest among over 55 year olds (41% very concerned) and those in capital cities (40% concerned)

Likelihood of developing Coronavirus

Q. How likely do you think it is, that you will develop Covid-19?

• There has been an increase in the likelihood of developing Covid-19 during the last fortnight. 42% now say it is somewhat or very likely that they will develop Covid-19 (up from 31%).
• Younger people (aged 18-34, 10% very likely to develop Covid-19) and those living in capital cities (9%) are more likely to expect to develop the virus than older people (55+) and those living in regional areas.

Reaction to Covid-19

Q. Which of the following is closer to your personal views of the Covid-19 outbreak?

• A third of people believe there has been an over-reaction to the threat of Covid-19. Men (36%) and those aged 18-34 (39%) are more likely to think there has been an over-reaction than women (30%) and those aged 55+ (23%).
• 39% think the reaction has been proportionate to the threat and 28% believe the threat has been under-estimated.
• Those who think there has been an over-reaction are less concerned about the threat of Covid-19 (69% very/somewhat concerned, compared to 92% who think the threat has been under-estimated) and think they are less likely to contract the virus (38% to 49% very/somewhat likely to catch Covid-19).

Government response to Covid-19

Q. Overall, how would you rate the Government’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak?

• 45% of people rate the performance of the government to the threat has been quite or very good. Those aged over 55 are more likely to rate the performance as good (62%).
• Those aged 18-34 were most likely to rate the performance as poor (very/quite poor, 38%).
• Those who think the threat of Covid-19 has been under-estimated have a low rating of government performance (46% very/quite poor).

Information about Covid-19

Q. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the information you’ve received about the Covid-19 outbreak?

• Around two-thirds of people agree that they feel informed about the situation (64%) and over half (56%) trust the government to provide honest and objective information about the outbreak.
• Half think the information they’ve received has been clear and consistent (51%).
• Those who think the threat of Covid-19 has been under-estimated are more likely to disagree that they feel informed of the situation (22%), that the information they’ve receive is clear and consistent (33%) and they trust the government to deliver honest and objective information (34%).

• Those aged over 55 are more likely to agree that they feel informed about the situation (73%), that they have trust in the information from the government (66%) and that the information they’ve received has been clear and concise (58%).
• People in non-capital areas are less likely to agree that the information they have received has been clear and consistent (47%) compared to those in capital cities (54%).

Changing behaviour due to Covid-19

Q. Have you changed your behaviour in any of the following ways since the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak?

• Since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak, a majority of people have increased their personal hygiene (72%), limited their social interactions (60%) and reduced physical greetings (60%). A third of people say they have stocked up on groceries (33%).
• Younger people aged 18-34 were more likely to have changed their working patterns (33%) and reduced using cash for payments (30%)
• Just 12% of people say they have not changed their behaviour as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Financial situation during Covid-19 outbreak

Q. Which of the following best describes your financial situation during the Covid-19 outbreak?

• One in five people expect to be in serious financial stress due to a loss of income (21%), a further 29% say they will struggle.
• Women (24%), those aged 18-34 (25%) or 35-54 (28%) and those living in non-capital areas (25%) are most likely to be in serious financial stress.
• Around half people say they either have sufficient savings to manage a loss of income (26%) or will not suffer a loss of income as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak (24%).
• Those aged over 55 are more likely to be in a strong financial position, with 37% not expecting their income to be impacted and 31% having sufficient savings to manage a short-term loss of income.

• A quarter of families with dependent children in the household expect to be in serious financial stress with a short-term loss of income.