Attributes of the Labor Party

Q. Here is a list of things both favourable and unfavourable that have been said about Federal political parties. Which statements do you feel fit the Labor Party?

• The Labor party is similarly perceived as promising to do anything to win votes (65%) but also looking after the interests of working people (59%) and divided (55%).
• The perception that Labor is divided has increased since August 2018 by 9pts.

Party Attributes Comparison – Labor vs Liberal

Q. Here is a list of things both favourable and unfavourable that have been said about Federal political parties. Which statements do you feel fit the Liberal Party / Labor Party?

• Though Liberal and Labour are similarly seen to promise to do anything to win votes (-1pt difference), the Liberal party has a stronger image as being too close to the big corporate and financial interests (22pt difference) and out of touch with ordinary people (9pt difference), whereas more people think the Labor party looks after the interests of working people (19pt difference)

Leader attributes – Scott Morrison

Q. Which of the following describe your opinion of the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison?

• The attributes mainly associated with Scott Morrison are intelligent (64%) and hard-working (63%) – the same as in December 2018.
• Since last year, Scott Morrison is more likely to be seen to be good in a crisis (increase 10pts from 41% to 51%).

Leader attributes – Anthony Albanese

Q. Which of the following describe your opinion of the Opposition Leader, Anthony Albanese?

• Anthony Albanese is also perceived as intelligent (66%) and hard-working (64%), but this perception is greater than Bill Shorten in December 2018 (56% and 57% respectively). Albanese also is more likely than Bill Shorten to be seen as more honest than most (42% to 32%).
• Albanese is seen as less arrogant than Shorten (33% to 46%), less erratic (30% to 40%) and less aggressive (27% to 37%).

Leader attributes – Comparisons

Q. Which of the following describe your opinion of the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison / Opposition Leader, Anthony Albanese?

• For all opinions, more people felt it described Scott Morrison than Anthony Albanese.

Most Important Issues

Q. Which of the following issues are the most important for the Federal Government to address over the next 12 months?

• The most important issues for the Federal Government to address over the next 12 months are seen to be creating jobs and reducing unemployment (36%), improving the health system (32%), reducing utility bills and protecting the environment (both 27%).
• Protecting the environment saw an 11pt increase as an important issue for the Federal Government to address from February 2019 (from 16% to 27%).

Syrian brides

Q. In Syria, 20 Australian women and 46 children are being held by the Syrian Democratic Forces alongside their husbands who were captured while fighting for the Islamic State. These women and children are not considered prisoners of war but are unable to leave the camp and return to Australia.

It’s a complex situation where national security issues, human rights violations and the law all intersect.

Broadly, to what extent do you support or oppose these women and children returning to Australia?

• Almost half (47%) of participants are opposed to the Syrian brides and children being returned to Australia – this is driven by those over 55 (62% opposed), those with professional qualifications (53%), non-capital residents (53%), Liberal voters (59%) and independent/other voters (61%).
• Greens voters (57%), 18-34 year olds (52%) and university educated participants (49%) are most supportive of the families returning home.

Types of family violence

Q. Which, if any of the following behaviours do you think would be considered as a type of family violence?

• The majority of participants (80%) considered physical abuse (hitting, punching, etc. or restraining in any way) as a form of family violence; however, this gradually decreased for less visible indicators of abuse such as spiritual and medical abuse (58% and 56%) respectively.
• Broadly, men were less likely to identify forms of family violence outside of physical abuse than women – for example only 57% of men considered financial abuse as a form of family violence compared to 72% of women.
• Younger participants were also less likely to consider any of the listed actions as family violence – with 68% of 18-34 year olds selecting physical abuse as a form of family violence compared to 92% of 55+ year olds.
• Men aged between 18-34 years old were particularly less likely to identify forms of family violence with at most 63% indicating physical abuse and 39% spiritual abuse were forms of family violence.
• Only two-fifths (42%) of men 18-34 years old believed harassing phone calls, or spying using electronic means was a form of family violence.