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

• Concern about the threat of Covid-19 is at a similar level as last fortnight, with 30% saying they are either not that concerned (24%) or not at all concerned (6%). 27% are very concerned about the threat and the remaining 43% are quite concerned.

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

• Rating of the Federal Government’s handling of Covid-19 is stable at 67% rating it very or quite good (up from 61% earlier in the month).

Q. How would you rate your state government’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak?

• Coinciding with the Covid-19 outbreak in South Australia, positive rating of the SA Government has dropped to 70%, the lowest rating we’ve seen since August.
• As Victoria continues to record no new Covid-19 cases, positive rating of the government is at 60%, up from a low of 45% in October.

Q. As far as you know, about how much of the Federal Budget is spent on foreign aid?

• Only 6% of Australians correctly know that less than 1% of the Federal Budget is spent on foreign aid. Fewer people know the correct proportion than in previous years (10% in 2017 and 13% in 2015)
• 17% think over 5% is spent. This is higher than previous years when this question was asked (12% in 2017 and 9% in 2015).

Q. Do you think Australia spends too much or too little on foreign aid?

• Over a third (37%) of people think Australia spends too much on foreign aid. This is lower than previous years (41% in 2017 and 44% in 2015). 16% think too little is spent and 23% think about the right amount is spent. 24% aren’t sure.

• Those voting for minor parties are the most likely to think too much is being spent on foreign aid (52%), followed by Coalition voters (43%).
• Conversely, Greens voters are the most likely to think too little is being spent (29%).

• Of those who incorrectly think over 5% of government expenditure is spent on foreign aid, 68% think too much is spent.
• Of those who correctly know that less than 1% is being spent on foreign aid, about half (48%) think too little is spent. A quarter (25%) think the right amount is spent and 4% don’t know. 23% still think too much is spent on foreign aid.

Q. Thinking now about how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the world, which of the following statements is closest to your views?

• Australians are split on their views towards the lessons from Covid-19. 52% think the pandemic has shown that in times of crisis, it is every country for itself, whereas 48% think the pandemic has shown that the world is inter-connected, and countries need to cooperate to respond to global threats.

Q. To what extent would you support or oppose the following policy proposals if they were adopted by the Federal Government?

• Support for government action on climate change has increased since earlier this year across the policy proposals put forward.

• 87% would support accelerating development of new industries and jobs that are powered by renewable energy and 80% would support requiring mining companies to fund bushfire hazard reduction.
• 81% would support setting a zero-carbon pollution target for 2050 and 75% would support setting this target for 2030.
• The most contentious issues are new coal mines opening in Australia (49% support vs 51% oppose) and the fossil fuel industry receiving taxpayer funded subsidies (42% support vs 58% oppose), where we see more of a divide between support and opposition compared to other policy proposals.

• Support for government action on climate change is higher among women compared to men, especially regarding setting a zero-carbon pollution target for 2030 (81% to 69%) and requiring mining companies to fund bushfire hazard reduction (85% to 75%). Women are less likely than men to support the opening of new coal mines (49% to 56%).
• Coalition voters have the highest support for opening new coal mines (57% compared to 52% minor party voters, 43% Labor voters and 23% Greens voters).

Q. Which of the following statements regarding the future of coal is closest to your view?

• Compared to earlier this year, fewer people think the government should subsidise coal-fired power plants to keep them going and provide financial support for new mines and other projects in the coal industry (17% in November, compared to 21% in February).
• Consequently, more people now think the government should let the coal mining industry and coal-fired power plants continue operating as long as they are profitable, but not subsidise them or support the expansion of the industry (47% to 52%).
• The proportion of those preferring the immediate closure of coal-fired power plants has remained constant.