The Essential Report Archive Read the latest report

  • May, 2020

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    Easing restrictions

    Q. When do you think governments should start to ease the restrictions on travel and gatherings to allow offices, shops, restaurants, other workplaces, and public spaces to start operating again?

      25/05 18/05 11/05 04/05 27/04 20/04
    As soon as possible 14% 9% 13% 10% 10% 9%
    Within the next 1 to 2 weeks 10% 13% 12% 9% 7% 6%
    Within the next month 23% 23% 22% 21% 18% 14%
    By the end of next month 17% 22% 20% 15% 15% 13%
    It is too soon to consider easing restrictions 27% 25% 27% 37% 42% 49%
    Unsure 9% 8% 6% 8% 8% 10%
    Base (n) 1,087 1,073 1,067 1,093 1,054 1,051

     

        Gender Age Group
      Total Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+
    As soon as possible 14% 18% 10% 17% 12% 14%
    Within the next 1 to 2 weeks 10% 11% 10% 12% 9% 10%
    Within the next month 23% 24% 23% 24% 22% 23%
    By the end of next month 17% 17% 17% 15% 18% 18%
    It is too soon to consider easing restrictions 27% 22% 31% 23% 29% 28%
    Unsure 9% 8% 9% 9% 10% 7%
    Base (n) 1,087 534 553 341 364 382
  • May, 2020

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    Continuation of short-term measures

    Q. The Federal Government has introduced some short-term measures to help people financially deal with the Covid-19 outbreak. For each of the following, how long do you think do you think the schemes should continue?

      Should end as soon as possible Should end at current set date Should continue after the current end date Unsure
    Providing free childcare for children in early childhood education

    (Due to end 28th June 2020)

    		 14% 33% 36% 17%
    Increase to JobSeeker payments to $1,115 per fortnight

    (Due to end 24th September 2020)

    		 21% 28% 36% 15%
    Provision of JobKeeper wage subsidy of $1,500 per fortnight to eligible employers for each eligible worker

    (Due to end 24th September 2020)

    		 17% 36% 32% 14%

     

    TOTAL: Should continue after the current end date   Gender Age Group
    Total Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+
    Providing free childcare for children in early childhood education 36% 39% 33% 43% 34% 31%
    Increase to JobSeeker payments to $1,115 per fortnight 36% 39% 33% 42% 36% 30%
    Provision of JobKeeper wage subsidy of $1,500 per fortnight to eligible employers for each eligible worker 32% 35% 30% 38% 32% 27%
    Base (n) 1,087 534 553 341 364 382
    • One-third of participants say that providing feed childcare, and increasing JobSeeker payments should continue after the current end date (both 36%).
    • 18-34 year olds are most likely to say any of the short-term measures should continue after the current end date, whereas 55+ year olds are least likely to support continuing these measures.
    • Men are more likely to support continuing the increased JobSeeker payments after 24th September 2020 (39%) than women (33%).
  • May, 2020

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    Chinese Barley Tariffs

    Q. Last week the Chinese government imposed tariffs on Australian barley exports, costing farmers millions of dollars through lost revenue. To what extent do you agree or disagree about the following statements about international trade with China?

      NET: Agree NET: Disagree Strongly agree Somewhat agree Neither agree, nor disagree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Unsure
    The Australian government needs to stand up to the Chinese Government and demand an open inquiry into the origins of Covid-19 66% 9% 44% 22% 14% 5% 4% 11%
    The Chinese government imposed the tariffs in response to Australia leading calls for an independent inquiry into the origins of Covid-19 57% 15% 36% 20% 16% 7% 7% 13%
    The Australian government needs to do all it can to avoid a trade war with China 53% 17% 28% 25% 19% 11% 7% 11%
    Australia should impose tariffs on imports from China in retaliation 48% 22% 27% 21% 19% 14% 7% 12%
    Australia should work towards an agreement with China to remove the tariffs on barley, whatever the conditions 47% 23% 20% 27% 19% 12% 11% 11%

     

    NET: Agree   Age Group Age Group
    Total 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor NET: Coalition Greens NET: Other
    The Australian government needs to stand up to the Chinese Government and demand an open inquiry into the origins of Covid-19 66% 52% 66% 78% 60% 76% 59% 69%
    The Chinese government imposed the tariffs in response to Australia leading calls for an independent inquiry into the origins of Covid-19 57% 46% 57% 65% 59% 66% 47% 52%
    The Australian government needs to do all it can to avoid a trade war with China 53% 49% 51% 57% 58% 57% 52% 36%
    Australia should impose tariffs on imports from China in retaliation 48% 39% 50% 53% 46% 54% 42% 52%
    Australia should work towards an agreement with China to remove the tariffs on barley, whatever the conditions 47% 38% 48% 54% 51% 52% 42% 35%
    Base (n) 1,087 341 364 382 323 428 100 120
    • Two-thirds (66%) of participants agree the Australian government needs to stand up to the Chinese Government and demand an open inquiry into the origins of Covid-19.
    • More than half of participants agree the Chinese government imposed the tariffs in response to Australia leading calls for an independent inquiry into the origins of Covid-19 (57%) or the Australian government needs to do all it can to avoid a trade war with China (53%).
    • Less than half of participants agree that Australia should impose tariffs on imports from China in retaliation (48%) or Australia should work towards an agreement with China to remove the tariffs on barley, whatever the conditions (47%).
    • Coalition voters are most likely to agree that the government needs to stand up to the Chinese Government and demand an open inquiry into the origins of Covid-19 (76%); while Labor (60%) and Greens (59%) voters are less likely to agree.
  • May, 2020

    Influence of China

    Q. Thinking about Australia’s relationship with China, how do you rate the influence of China on each of the following aspects?

      NET: Positive NET: Negative Very positive Somewhat positive Somewhat negative Very negative Unsure
    Australia’s defence, military, and national security 25% 51% 9% 17% 27% 24% 24%
    Australia’s international trade 28% 58% 7% 22% 26% 31% 14%
    Australia’s culture 35% 44% 9% 26% 23% 21% 22%
    Australia’s politics 23% 59% 7% 16% 31% 28% 18%
    Chinese corporations and businesses operating in Australia 22% 62% 4% 17% 27% 35% 17%

     

    NET: Positive influence May’20 Aug’19 Change
    Australia’s defence, military, and national security 25% 33% -8%
    Australia’s international trade 28% 59% -31%
    Australia’s culture 35% 43% -8%
    Australia’s politics 23% 30% -7%
    Chinese corporations and businesses operating in Australia 22% 41% -19%
    Base 1,087 1,096 –

     

    NET: Positive influence   Gender Age Group
    Total Male Female Labor NET: Coalition Greens NET: Other
    Australia’s defence, military, and national security 25% 30% 21% 23% 33% 19% 21%
    Australia’s international trade 28% 34% 23% 28% 31% 30% 24%
    Australia’s culture 35% 38% 31% 36% 34% 41% 30%
    Australia’s politics 23% 26% 20% 21% 28% 18% 17%
    Chinese corporations and businesses operating in Australia 22% 28% 16% 25% 23% 19% 18%
    Base (n) 1,087 534 553 323 428 100 120
    • Compared to August 2019, participants are less likely to rate China’s influence on Australia as positive – particularly in international trade (down 31%) and Chinese corporations operating in Australia (down 19%).
  • May, 2020

    Influence of the United States of America

    Q. Thinking about Australia’s relationship with the United States of America, how do you rate the influence of the United States of America on each of the following aspects?

      TOTAL: Positive TOTAL: Negative Very positive Somewhat positive Somewhat negative Very negative Unsure
    Australia’s defence, military, and national security 54% 25% 15% 39% 17% 8% 20%
    Australia’s international trade 48% 34% 11% 36% 23% 11% 19%
    Australia’s culture 43% 36% 10% 33% 25% 11% 20%
    Australia’s politics 41% 39% 10% 31% 26% 13% 20%
    American corporations and businesses operating in Australia 47% 32% 10% 38% 22% 10% 21%

     

    TOTAL: Positive influence May’20 Aug’19 Change
    Australia’s defence, military, and national security 54% 65% -11%
    Australia’s international trade 48% 56% -8%
    Australia’s culture 43% 51% -8%
    Australia’s politics 41% 43% -2%
    American corporations and businesses operating in Australia 47% 57% -10%
    Base 1,087 1,096 –

     

    NET: Positive influence   Gender Age Group
    Total Male Female Labor NET: Coalition Greens NET: Other
    Australia’s defence, military, and national security 54% 60% 49% 48% 67% 36% 58%
    Australia’s international trade 48% 53% 42% 45% 58% 35% 45%
    Australia’s culture 43% 49% 38% 42% 52% 28% 47%
    Australia’s politics 41% 47% 35% 34% 55% 23% 39%
    American corporations and businesses operating in Australia 47% 53% 42% 40% 60% 33% 45%
    Base (n) 1,087 534 553 323 428 100 120
    • Compared to August 2019, participants are less likely to see the United States of America as a positive influence on Australia; with defence and American corporations operating in Australia seeing the largest drop (down 11% and 10%) respectively.
    • Coalition voters are more likely to rate America’s influence on Australia as positive, than Greens voters.
  • May, 2020

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    Most beneficial country to strengthen our relationship with

    Q. Given the choice between the United States of America and China, which country do you think it would be most beneficial for Australia strengthen our relationship with?

        Gender Age Group
    Total Male Female Labor NET: Coalition Greens NET: Other
    United States of America 42% 46% 39% 36% 56% 16% 48%
    China 18% 22% 15% 22% 15% 25% 15%
    Neither 24% 20% 27% 29% 18% 37% 26%
    Don’t know 16% 11% 19% 12% 10% 21% 10%
    Base (n) 1,087 534 553 323 428 100 120

     

      May’20 Aug’19 Change
    United States of America 42% 38% 4%
    China 18% 28% -10%
    Neither 24% 18% 6%
    Don’t know 16% 15% 1%
    Base 1,087 1,096 –
    • Now 42% of participants believe it would be more beneficial to strength our relationship with the United States of America (up 4%), but a quarter say we should strengthen our relationship with neither country (24%, up 6%).
    • Coalition voters are most likely to say we should strengthen our relationship with America (56%), while Greens voters would prefer to strengthen our relationship with neither country (37%).
  • May, 2020

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    Closer or more distant social connections

    Q. Since the start of the lockdown restrictions, do you feel closer or more distant from each of the following people in your life?

      My partner My children My extended family My neighbours My friends My workmates
    I feel closer 36% 35% 18% 13% 13% 11%
    It has not affected our relationship 53% 52% 55% 64% 52% 53%
    I feel more distant 11% 13% 27% 23% 34% 36%
    Base 797 716 964 942 1,012 680

     

    TOTAL: I feel closer   Gender Age Group
    Total Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+
    My partner 36% 36% 36% 49% 36% 24%
    My children 35% 32% 38% 50% 41% 22%
    My extended family 18% 18% 18% 24% 19% 13%
    My neighbours 13% 14% 12% 15% 13% 12%
    My friends 13% 13% 14% 19% 11% 11%
    My workmates 11% 11% 11% 13% 11% 8%

     

    TOTAL: I feel more distant   Gender Age Group
    Total Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+
    My partner 11% 11% 11% 15% 12% 6%
    My children 13% 13% 12% 11% 10% 15%
    My extended family 27% 26% 28% 31% 27% 24%
    My neighbours 23% 21% 24% 23% 21% 24%
    My friends 34% 32% 36% 42% 34% 28%
    My workmates 36% 34% 39% 47% 32% 24%
    • More than half of participants don’t feel closer or more distant to the social connections in their life, varying between 64% for neighbours and 52% for children and friends.
    • 18-34 year olds are most likely to say they feel closer to their partner (49%), children (50%) and extended family (24%) – but more distant from their friends (42%) and workmates (47%).
    • Participants over 55 are most likely to say their social connections haven’t been affected by the lockdown restrictions.
  • May, 2020

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    Coronavirus concerns

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

      18/05 11/05 04/05 27/04 20/04 13/04 06/04 29/03 22/03 09/03 10/02
    Very concerned 33% 34% 32% 39% 44% 45% 51% 53% 39% 27% 25%
    Quite concerned 47% 49% 46% 44% 43% 43% 37% 35% 43% 36% 43%
    Not that concerned 16% 14% 18% 13% 11% 9% 10% 10% 14% 28% 26%
    Not at all concerned 4% 3% 4% 3% 2% 3% 2% 3% 4% 9% 6%
    Base (n) 1,073 1,067 1,093 1,054 1,051 1,068 1,069 1,086 1,034 1,096 1,057

     

        Age group Location
      Total 18-34 35-54 55+ Capital Non-Capital
    Very concerned 33% 32% 33% 35% 35% 30%
    Quite concerned 47% 46% 45% 50% 46% 48%
    Not that concerned 16% 17% 18% 13% 15% 16%
    Not at all concerned 4% 5% 4% 3% 4% 5%
    Base (n) 1,073 339 349 385 730 343
    • In the only significant change from last week, the proportion of 35-54 year olds who are very concerned about the threat of Covid-19 drops from 39% to 33%.
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