The Essential Report Archive Read the latest report

  • Sep, 2020

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    Coronavirus concerns

    Q. To what extent are you concerned about the threat of Covid-19 (coronavirus) in Australia?

      07/09 24/08 10/08 27/07 13/07 22/06 15/06 08/06 01/06 25/05 18/05
    Very concerned 37% 40% 50% 43% 36% 25% 28% 27% 32% 30% 33%
    Quite concerned 45% 46% 40% 44% 48% 50% 45% 48% 49% 49% 47%
    Not that concerned 13% 10% 7% 9% 12% 21% 23% 21% 15% 16% 16%
    Not at all concerned 5% 4% 3% 4% 3% 4% 4% 5% 4% 5% 4%
    Base (n) 1,076 1,068 1,010 1,058 1,054 1,079 1,087 1,073 1,059 1,087 1,073
    • Concern about Covid-19 has eased this week with 37% very concerned about the threat (down from 50% in early August).
  • Sep, 2020

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    State and Federal Government Working Together

    Q. How well do you think your State or Territory government and the Federal government are working together on issues to address the Covid-19 pandemic?

      Total   State
      NSW VIC QLD SA WA
    Very well 17% 21% 8% 15% 19% 24%
    Quite well 46% 46% 49% 48% 47% 40%
    Quite poorly 22% 19% 28% 19% 21% 23%
    Very poorly 8% 8% 10% 10% 6% 3%
    Unsure 6% 7% 5% 7% 7% 8%
    TOTAL: Well 64% 66% 57% 64% 66% 65%
    TOTAL: Poorly 30% 27% 38% 29% 27% 27%
    Base (n) 1,076 352 275 215 88 99
    • People believe that more could be done between the Federal and State governments to address the Covid-19 pandemic. Less than a fifth of people (17%) think the Federal government and their state government are working together very well. While 46% say they are working together quite well, 30% rate the working relationship as poor.
    • The Federal and Victorian governments are seen to have the worst relationship, with 57% of Victorians saying the Federal government is working well with their state government, but just 8% believe they are working very well together.
  • Sep, 2020

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    Change in Working together

    Q. And, how do you think your State or Territory government and the Federal government are working together now compared to earlier in the pandemic?

      Total   State
      NSW VIC QLD SA WA
    A lot better 13% 14% 10% 14% 16% 14%
    A little better 27% 32% 28% 25% 26% 16%
    No better or worse 30% 30% 26% 31% 33% 33%
    A little worse 15% 14% 20% 14% 12% 19%
    A lot worse 7% 6% 12% 8% 4% 5%
    Unsure 6% 5% 4% 8% 10% 12%
    TOTAL: Better 41% 46% 38% 39% 41% 31%
    TOTAL: Worse 23% 20% 32% 22% 16% 24%
    Base (n) 1,076 352 275 215 88 99
    • Overall, most people believe the working relationship between the Federal and their state government has improved (41%) or stayed the same (30%) during the pandemic. 25% think the relationship between the governments has deteriorated.
    • Victorians are most likely to think the relationship between the Federal and state governments has got worse (32%).
  • Sep, 2020

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    State and Federal governments working together on specific issues

    Q. How well do you think your State or Territory government and the Federal government are working together on the following issues?

      Total   State
    TOTAL: Working well together NSW VIC QLD SA WA
    To minimise the spread of Covid-19 within aged care facilities 51% 49% 42% 58% 58% 50%
    To maintain interstate trade and ensure shops and supermarkets are fully stocked 68% 64% 66% 65% 77% 75%
    The promotion of tourism and travel within states 52% 54% 37% 57% 67% 59%
    To manage a safe environment in schools and childcare facilities for children and staff 67% 65% 61% 71% 73% 74%
    To control the spread of Covid-19 across state borders 68% 67% 65% 67% 81% 68%
    Base (n) 1,076 352 275 215 88 99
    • Around two-thirds think their state and Federal governments are working well together to address the issues of inter-state infections (68%), Trade and supply (68%) and education (67%). While half think they are working well together to minimise the spread in aged-care facilities (51%) and promoting inter-state travel (52%).
    • Victorians have the lowest rating of the relationship – particularly for issues of aged care facilities (42% say Federal and state governments are working well together) and interstate travel (37%).
    NSW TOTAL: Well TOTAL: Poorly Very well Quite well Quite poorly Very poorly Unsure
    To minimise the spread of Covid-19 within aged care facilities 49% 42% 18% 31% 25% 17% 9%
    To maintain interstate trade and ensure shops and supermarkets are fully stocked 64% 27% 19% 45% 18% 9% 9%
    The promotion of tourism and travel within states 54% 33% 18% 36% 21% 12% 13%
    To manage a safe environment in schools and childcare facilities for children and staff 65% 26% 19% 45% 17% 9% 10%
    To control the spread of Covid-19 across state borders 67% 29% 22% 45% 18% 10% 4%

     

    VIC TOTAL: Well TOTAL: Poorly Very well Quite well Quite poorly Very poorly Unsure
    To minimise the spread of Covid-19 within aged care facilities 42% 51% 10% 32% 31% 20% 7%
    To maintain interstate trade and ensure shops and supermarkets are fully stocked 66% 29% 18% 48% 19% 9% 6%
    The promotion of tourism and travel within states 37% 42% 11% 26% 27% 15% 21%
    To manage a safe environment in schools and childcare facilities for children and staff 61% 30% 14% 47% 22% 8% 9%
    To control the spread of Covid-19 across state borders 65% 29% 20% 45% 19% 10% 6%

     

    QLD TOTAL: Well TOTAL: Poorly Very well Quite well Quite poorly Very poorly Unsure
    To minimise the spread of Covid-19 within aged care facilities 58% 33% 17% 41% 20% 13% 9%
    To maintain interstate trade and ensure shops and supermarkets are fully stocked 65% 25% 19% 45% 17% 8% 10%
    The promotion of tourism and travel within states 57% 28% 18% 39% 21% 8% 15%
    To manage a safe environment in schools and childcare facilities for children and staff 71% 20% 15% 56% 12% 8% 9%
    To control the spread of Covid-19 across state borders 67% 29% 23% 44% 19% 10% 4%

     

    SA TOTAL: Well TOTAL: Poorly Very well Quite well Quite poorly Very poorly Unsure
    To minimise the spread of Covid-19 within aged care facilities 58% 32% 17% 41% 14% 18% 10%
    To maintain interstate trade and ensure shops and supermarkets are fully stocked 77% 11% 16% 61% 7% 3% 12%
    The promotion of tourism and travel within states 67% 16% 16% 51% 9% 7% 18%
    To manage a safe environment in schools and childcare facilities for children and staff 73% 16% 21% 52% 10% 6% 11%
    To control the spread of Covid-19 across state borders 81% 14% 33% 48% 8% 6% 5%

     

    WA TOTAL: Well TOTAL: Poorly Very well Quite well Quite poorly Very poorly Unsure
    To minimise the spread of Covid-19 within aged care facilities 50% 35% 19% 30% 22% 13% 16%
    To maintain interstate trade and ensure shops and supermarkets are fully stocked 75% 17% 24% 51% 13% 4% 8%
    The promotion of tourism and travel within states 59% 28% 22% 36% 22% 6% 13%
    To manage a safe environment in schools and childcare facilities for children and staff 74% 17% 18% 56% 14% 4% 9%
    To control the spread of Covid-19 across state borders 68% 24% 28% 40% 16% 8% 8%
  • Sep, 2020

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    Medicare tax increase

    Q. It has been proposed that the Medicare levy could be increased from 2% to 2.65% to fund improvements to the aged care sector.

    To what extent would you support or oppose this increase?

      Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
      Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor Liberal + National Greens TOTAL: Other
    Strongly oppose 15% 17% 13% 10% 22% 12% 11% 13% 11% 37%
    Somewhat oppose 17% 18% 16% 23% 16% 13% 17% 18% 23% 13%
    Neither support, nor oppose 32% 28% 36% 38% 28% 31% 31% 28% 33% 29%
    Somewhat support 23% 24% 22% 21% 22% 27% 28% 27% 17% 13%
    Strongly support 12% 13% 12% 8% 12% 17% 14% 13% 15% 7%
    TOTAL: Oppose 32% 35% 29% 33% 38% 25% 28% 31% 35% 51%
    TOTAL: Support 36% 37% 35% 29% 34% 44% 41% 41% 32% 21%
    Base (n) 1,076 524 552 326 365 385 321 390 108 138
    • The proposal to increase the Medicare levy to help fund the aged care sector could be a polarising issue for Australians. Similar proportions say they support (36%) and oppose (32%) the proposal
    • Support for increasing the levy is highest mong those aged over 55 years (44%).
    • There is net support among voters of the two major parties – 41% support, 28% opposition among Labor voters and 41% support, 31% oppose among Coalition voters). Those voting for minor, or independent candidates generally oppose the proposal (51% oppose, 21% support).
  • Sep, 2020

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    Frequency of reading news on social media platforms

    Q. How frequently do you use technology platforms like Google and Facebook to search for, and read news articles?

      Total Age Group
      18-34 35-54 55+
    At least daily 52% 46% 64% 46%
    At least once a week 22% 26% 20% 21%
    At least once a month 8% 16% 5% 4%
    Less frequently than one a month 6% 5% 4% 9%
    Never 11% 6% 7% 19%
    Base (n) 1,076 326 365 385
    • Half of adult Australians use social media platforms like Facebook and Google to search and read news on a daily basis (52%). A further 22% use social media weekly to access news.
    • People aged 35-54 are the heaviest consumers of news through social media, with 64% using a platform on a daily basis.
  • Sep, 2020

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    Google agreement statements

    Q. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is drafting code of conduct legislation to force technology platforms, like Google and Facebook, to pay media organisations for the news content they distribute.

    In response Facebook has threatened to stop its users sharing news and Google has warned its free web search is at risk.

    To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

      TOTAL: Agree TOTAL: Disagree Strongly agree Somewhat agree Neither agree, nor disagree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree
    A strong media is essential to Australian democracy and the government is right to ask Google and Facebook to pay for news 49% 22% 23% 26% 29% 13% 9%
    It is not up to Facebook and Google to support media companies 38% 26% 15% 23% 36% 15% 12%
    Big tech companies like Google and Facebook should support Australian media rather than bullying the government 54% 17% 26% 28% 29% 11% 6%
    Big technology companies like Google and Facebook have too much power and its time they were pulled into line 51% 19% 23% 27% 30% 12% 7%
    If Facebook stopped offering news on its platform, I would use it less often 29% 35% 12% 18% 35% 19% 16%

     

      Total Age Group Frequency of news consumption on social media
    TOTAL: AGREEMENT 18-34 35-54 55+ At least daily At least once a week Less than once a week Never
    A strong media is essential to Australian democracy and the government is right to ask Google and Facebook to pay for news 49% 36% 49% 60% 51% 48% 42% 49%
    It is not up to Facebook and Google to support media companies 38% 45% 39% 32% 42% 38% 31% 27%
    Big tech companies like Google and Facebook should support Australian media rather than bullying the government 54% 38% 54% 66% 55% 55% 43% 60%
    Big technology companies like Google and Facebook have too much power and its time they were pulled into line 51% 36% 53% 61% 51% 49% 43% 61%
    If Facebook stopped offering news on its platform, I would use it less often 29% 35% 33% 21% 34% 30% 22% 16%
    Base (n) 1,076 326 365 385 570 239 149 118

     

      Total Age Group Frequency of news consumption on social media
    TOTAL: DISAGREEMENT 18-34 35-54 55+ At least daily At least once a week Less than once a week Never
    A strong media is essential to Australian democracy and the government is right to ask Google and Facebook to pay for news 22% 30% 20% 17% 23% 21% 28% 15%
    It is not up to Facebook and Google to support media companies 26% 22% 24% 33% 27% 23% 26% 30%
    Big tech companies like Google and Facebook should support Australian media rather than bullying the government 17% 25% 16% 12% 20% 17% 17% 10%
    Big technology companies like Google and Facebook have too much power and its time they were pulled into line 19% 27% 18% 14% 22% 16% 19% 11%
    If Facebook stopped offering news on its platform, I would use it less often 35% 31% 34% 40% 35% 36% 31% 42%
    Base (n) 1,076 326 365 385 570 239 149 118
    •  Around half of people agree that big technology companies like Google and Facebook have too much power (51%) and they should support Australian media rather than bullying the government (54%).
    • People aged 18-34 were more sympathetic to social media platforms and had the lowest agreement that government is right to ask Google and Facebook to pay for news (36%), they have too much power (36%).
    • 34% of daily social media users agree they would use the platform less frequently if it stopped offering news content.
  • Sep, 2020

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    Future usage of online news

    Q. If the legislation is introduced and news content was removed from Facebook and Google, how likely would you do the following to search and read news articles?

      TOTAL: Likely TOTAL: Unlikely Very likely Quite likely Not that likely Not at all likely
    Go directly to news websites to read content 75% 25% 37% 38% 15% 10%
    Continue to use Google and Facebook and read less news 69% 31% 26% 43% 19% 12%
    Use alternative platforms to Facebook and Google to find and read news articles (such as Twitter, LinkedIn or Reddit) 53% 47% 22% 31% 24% 22%
    Use the Apple News aggregator 37% 63% 14% 22% 27% 36%

     

      Total Age Group Frequency of news consumption on social media
    TOTAL: LIKELY 18-34 35-54 55+ At least daily At least once a week Less than once a week Never
    Go directly to news websites to read content 75% 70% 81% 73% 84% 77% 62% 46%
    Continue to use Google and Facebook and read less news 69% 67% 76% 63% 77% 72% 60% 39%
    Use alternative platforms to Facebook and Google to find and read news articles (such as Twitter, LinkedIn or Reddit) 53% 61% 64% 37% 64% 50% 42% 25%
    Use the Apple News aggregator 37% 42% 49% 20% 42% 42% 29% 11%
    Base (n) 1,076 326 365 385 570 239 149 118
    • The majority of people would use alternative sources such as direct content (75%), other social media platforms (53%) or Apple news (37%) if social media platforms stopped offering free news contents as part of their service.
    • However, 77% of daily Facebook and Google users said they are likely to continue to use the platforms, but read less news.
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