Essential Report
State government response to Covid-19
Q. How would you rate your state government’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak?
| TOTAL: Good | 11/10 | 27/09 | 13/09 | 30/08 | 16/08 | 02/08 | 19/07 | 05/07 | 07/06 | 24/05 | 12/04 | 15/03 | 01/03 |
| NSW | 55% | 53% | 46% | 40% | 42% | 47% | 54% | 57% | 69% | 68% | 73% | 75% | 72% |
| VIC | 46% | 44% | 50% | 44% | 56% | 54% | 49% | 50% | 48% | 63% | 58% | 62% | 49% |
| QLD | 68% | 62% | 65% | 67% | 66% | 60% | 62% | 61% | 65% | 68% | 72% | 75% | 73% |
| SA | 67% | 55% | 67% | 76% | 68% | 73% | 68% | 67% | 67% | 71% | 75% | 85% | 78% |
| WA | 80% | 82% | 87% | 78% | 87% | 82% | 77% | 86% | 75% | 77% | 84% | 91% | 85% |
- Positive rating of the state government’s response to Covid-19 in NSW continues to increase (now 55%, up from 40% in August).
- Rating of state governments has improved in Queensland (62% to 68%), and South Australia (55% to 67%).
Uptake of a Covid-19 vaccine
Q. The Covid-19 vaccine rollout is underway in Australia.
Which of the following best describes your situation?
| 11/10 | 27/09 | 13/09 | |
| I’ve already had the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine /
I’ve already had both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine |
81% | 75% | 69% |
| I’ve booked my vaccination and am waiting to get my first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine | 6% | 9% | 11% |
| I will get vaccinated but haven’t booked my vaccination yet | 7% | 10% | 14% |
| I’d never get vaccinated | 7% | 7% | 6% |
| Base (n) | 1,097 | 1,094 | 1,100 |
| State | |||||
| NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | |
| I’ve already had the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine /
I’ve already had both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine |
90% | 82% | 74% | 74% | 76% |
| I’ve booked my vaccination and am waiting to get my first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine | 5% | 4% | 5% | 10% | 6% |
| I will get vaccinated but haven’t booked my vaccination yet | 2% | 7% | 11% | 9% | 11% |
| I’d never get vaccinated | 3% | 7% | 10% | 7% | 7% |
| Base (n) | 352 | 276 | 215 | 89 | 111 |
| Federal Voting Intention | ||||
| Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | |
| I’ve already had the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine /
I’ve already had both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine |
83% | 87% | 79% | 68% |
| I’ve booked my vaccination and am waiting to get my first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine | 7% | 5% | 6% | 6% |
| I will get vaccinated but haven’t booked my vaccination yet | 7% | 5% | 12% | 9% |
| I’d never get vaccinated | 4% | 3% | 4% | 17% |
| Base (n) | 362 | 414 | 94 | 138 |
- Uptake of the Covid-19 vaccine continues to increase, with 81% who have received at least a first dose. A further 6% are waiting to receive a first dose, even though 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 17% (e.g. One Nation or UAP) or an independent candidate at the next federal election. Just 3% of those in NSW say they would never get vaccinated – the lowest of all states.
Support for Federal ICAC
Q. To what extent would you support or oppose the establishment of an independent federal anti-corruption body to monitor the behaviour of our politicians and public servants?
| Q | Oct’21 | Nov’20 | Jan’20 | Dec’19 | Sep’18 |
| Strongly support | 46% | 45% | 49% | 42% | 46% |
| Somewhat support | 32% | 36% | 31% | 33% | 36% |
| Somewhat oppose | 8% | 5% | 5% | 7% | 4% |
| Strongly oppose | 3% | 1% | 2% | 2% | 1% |
| Unsure | 11% | 13% | 13% | 17% | 14% |
| TOTAL: Support | 78% | 81% | 80% | 75% | 82% |
| TOTAL: Oppose | 11% | 6% | 7% | 8% | 5% |
| Base (n) | 1,097 | 1,063 | 1,080 | 1,035 | 1,030 |
| Q | Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | ||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
| Strongly support | 46% | 49% | 43% | 38% | 46% | 52% | 52% | 40% | 54% | 51% |
| Somewhat support | 32% | 30% | 35% | 34% | 32% | 31% | 31% | 37% | 24% | 28% |
| Somewhat oppose | 8% | 10% | 6% | 12% | 8% | 5% | 6% | 10% | 8% | 7% |
| Strongly oppose | 3% | 4% | 2% | 4% | 4% | 2% | 3% | 2% | 2% | 6% |
| Unsure | 11% | 7% | 15% | 12% | 11% | 10% | 8% | 10% | 13% | 8% |
| TOTAL: Support | 78% | 79% | 77% | 72% | 78% | 83% | 84% | 77% | 78% | 79% |
| TOTAL: Oppose | 11% | 14% | 8% | 16% | 11% | 7% | 9% | 13% | 9% | 13% |
| Base (n) | 1,097 | 540 | 557 | 342 | 366 | 389 | 362 | 414 | 94 | 138 |
- Support for the establishment of a federal ICAC remains high at 78%, with 46% strongly supporting this. This is consistent with previous years.
- A large majority of all demographics would support a federal ICAC.
- There is strongest support among those aged over 55 (52% strongly support, Labor voters (52%) and Greens voters (54%). Coalition voters were most likely to oppose a federal ICAC (13%).
Resignation of Berejiklian and need for ICAC
Q. Thinking about Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation as NSW Premier, which is closer to your view?
| Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
| Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation as NSW Premier makes me more supportive of an independent federal anti-corruption body | 47% | 54% | 40% | 46% | 44% | 50% | 59% | 41% | 56% | 46% |
| Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation as NSW Premier makes me less supportive of an independent federal anti-corruption body | 21% | 21% | 21% | 25% | 21% | 18% | 16% | 31% | 14% | 26% |
| Unsure | 32% | 25% | 39% | 29% | 35% | 32% | 25% | 28% | 30% | 28% |
| Base (n) | 1,097 | 540 | 557 | 342 | 366 | 389 | 362 | 414 | 94 | 138 |
- Overall, the resignation of Gladys Berejiklian has strengthened the support for a federal ICAC. 47% say they are now more supportive, with 21% less supportive and 32% unsure.
| Total | State | ||
| NSW | All other states | ||
| Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation as NSW Premier makes me more supportive of an independent federal anti-corruption body | 47% | 48% | 45% |
| Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation as NSW Premier makes me less supportive of an independent federal anti-corruption body | 21% | 29% | 16% |
| Unsure | 32% | 23% | 38% |
| Base (n) | 1,097 | 352 | 691 |
- While greater support for a federal ICAC due to Berejiklian’s resignation is consistent between NSW and other states (48% to 45%), opposition is higher in NSW (29% to 16%).
Trust in institutions
Q. How much trust do you have in the following institutions and organisations?
| TOTAL: Trust | Oct’21 | Change since Mar’21 | Mar’21 | Aug’20 | |
| Scientific bodies (e.g. CSRIO) | 68% | n/a | n/a | ||
| State & federal health authorities | 64% | -4% | 70% | 69% | |
| Police, courts and the justice system | 61% | -3% | 64% | 64% | |
| Universities | 59% | n/a | n/a | ||
| State or territory government | 55% | -11% | 66% | 60% | |
| The Commonwealth public service | 52% | -5% | 57% | 56% | |
| Federal government | 48% | -6% | 54% | 55% |
| TOTAL:
Trust |
TOTAL:
Don’t trust |
Have a lot of trust | Have some trust | Have little trust | Have no trust at all | Unsure | |
| Scientific bodies (e.g. CSRIO) | 68% | 25% | 30% | 38% | 18% | 7% | 7% |
| State & federal health authorities | 64% | 31% | 21% | 43% | 21% | 11% | 5% |
| Police, courts and the justice system | 61% | 35% | 18% | 43% | 23% | 12% | 4% |
| Universities | 59% | 34% | 19% | 41% | 26% | 9% | 7% |
| State or territory government | 55% | 41% | 16% | 39% | 25% | 16% | 4% |
| The Commonwealth public service | 52% | 41% | 12% | 40% | 29% | 12% | 7% |
| Federal government | 48% | 47% | 13% | 35% | 29% | 18% | 5% |
- Trust in the state/territory government and federal government has decreased since Mar’21. Trust in state/territory government has dropped from 66% to 55%, and trust in the federal government from 54% to 48%.
- People have the most trust in scientific bodies (68%) and health authorities (64%).
Importance of action on climate change
Q. Which of the following best describes your attitude towards the issue of climate change and global warming?
| Q | Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | ||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
| It is the most important issue and there is no other issue I am more concerned about | 22% | 23% | 20% | 29% | 23% | 15% | 25% | 18% | 36% | 21% |
| It is a very important issue, but there are other issues that equally concern me | 45% | 41% | 48% | 48% | 45% | 42% | 53% | 41% | 52% | 34% |
| It is somewhat an important issue, but there are other issues that I am more concerned about | 20% | 20% | 20% | 18% | 19% | 23% | 14% | 26% | 10% | 23% |
| It is not a very important issue, there are other issues that I am much more concerned about | 7% | 8% | 6% | 2% | 6% | 12% | 5% | 9% | 2% | 11% |
| It is not an important issue at all | 6% | 7% | 6% | 4% | 7% | 8% | 2% | 6% | 0% | 12% |
| Base (n) | 1,097 | 540 | 557 | 342 | 366 | 389 | 362 | 414 | 94 | 138 |
- 22% say climate change is the most important issue to them, with a further 45% saying it is important, along with other issues.
- 7% said they were more concerned with issues other than climate change and just 6% said climate change isn’t an important issue.
Climate change acceptance
Q. Do you believe that there is fairly conclusive evidence that climate change is happening and caused by human activity or do you believe that the evidence is still not in and we may just be witnessing a normal fluctuation in the earth’s climate which happens from time to time?
| Q | Oct’21 | Jun’21 | Jan’21 | Jan’20 | Nov’19 | Mar’19 | Oct’18 | Sep’17 | Aug’16 |
| Climate change is happening and is caused by human activity | 59% | 56% | 58% | 56% | 61% | 62% | 63% | 64% | 57% |
| We are just witnessing a normal fluctuation in the earth’s climate | 30% | 27% | 32% | 32% | 28% | 27% | 25% | 24% | 26% |
| Don’t know | 11% | 16% | 10% | 13% | 11% | 12% | 13% | 12% | 17% |
| Base (n) | 1,097 | 1,087 | 1,084 | 1,081 | 1,083 | 1,089 | 1,027 | 1,011 | 1,022 |
| Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||||
| Climate change is happening and is caused by human activity | 59% | 60% | 58% | 62% | 60% | 55% | 70% | 49% | 77% | 48% | ||
| We are just witnessing a normal fluctuation in the earth’s climate | 30% | 31% | 29% | 28% | 27% | 36% | 23% | 39% | 15% | 47% | ||
| Don’t know | 11% | 9% | 12% | 10% | 13% | 9% | 7% | 12% | 7% | 6% | ||
| Base (n) | 1,097 | 540 | 557 | 342 | 366 | 389 | 362 | 414 | 94 | 138 | ||
- The majority of people accept that climate change is happening and caused by human activity (59%). This is consistent with previous years.
- 30% think the changes in climate are part of a natural cycle and 11% are unsure. Those most likely to think we are witnessing a natural cycle include those aged over 55 (36%), Coalition voters (39%) and those voting for an independent or minor party (47%).
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?
| Oct’21 | Jun’21 | Jan’21 | Jun’20 | Mar’20 | Jan’20 | Nov’19 | Mar’19 | Dec’18 | Oct’18 | Sep’17 | Aug’16 | |
| Not doing enough | 42% | 45% | 42% | 52% | 55% | 62% | 60% | 51% | 53% | 56% | 56% | 52% |
| Doing enough | 31% | 30% | 35% | 25% | 23% | 19% | 22% | 27% | 24% | 23% | 20% | 22% |
| Doing too much | 15% | 12% | 10% | 10% | 9% | 8% | 8% | 11% | 9% | 7% | 8% | 8% |
| Don’t know | 11% | 13% | 13% | 13% | 13% | 11% | 10% | 12% | 14% | 13% | 16% | 18% |
| Base (n) | 1,097 | 1,087 | 1,084 | 1,079 | 1,090 | 1,081 | 1,083 | 1,089 | 1,032 | 1,027 | 1,011 | 1,022 |
| Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||||
| Not doing enough | 42% | 41% | 43% | 38% | 44% | 44% | 56% | 26% | 58% | 39% | ||
| Doing enough | 31% | 31% | 32% | 33% | 25% | 36% | 27% | 47% | 17% | 23% | ||
| Doing too much | 15% | 18% | 12% | 19% | 17% | 9% | 8% | 18% | 18% | 29% | ||
| Don’t know | 11% | 10% | 13% | 10% | 14% | 11% | 9% | 9% | 7% | 9% | ||
| Base (n) | 1,097 | 540 | 557 | 342 | 366 | 389 | 362 | 414 | 94 | 138 | ||
- Most people think Australia is not doing enough to address climate change (42%), with 31% who think we are doing enough and 15% who think Australia is doing too much to address climate change. Consistent with previous years, 11% don’t know.
- Since June 2021, there has been a shift among women, those aged 18-34 and Labor voters – all of whom are less likely to think Australia is not doing enough to address climate change.
- 43% of women say Australia is not doing enough (down from 49% in Jun’21), while 32% say we are doing enough (up from 27%).
- 38% of women say Australia is not doing enough (down from 47% in Jun’21), while those saying Australia is doing too much has increased from 7% to 12%.
- 56% of Labor voters say Australia is not doing enough (down from 64% in Jun’21), while 27% say we are doing enough (up from 19%).
COVID-19 RESEARCH
Read Essential's ongoing research on the public response to Covid-19.
Essential Report
In this week's report:
- Performance of Scott Morrison
- Performance of Anthony Albanese
- Preferred Prime Minister
- Views towards re-electing the federal Coalition government
- Party trust to handle issues
- Importance of Australia’s international reputation
- Scott Morrison’s impact on Australia’s international reputation
- Views towards Australia’s international reputation
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