Essential Report
Following Federal politics
Q. Which of the following statements best describes your following of Federal politics?
Total | Gender | Age | ||||
Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | ||
I follow it closely | 15% | 22% | 9% | 14% | 14% | 17% |
I follow it enough to know what’s happening | 38% | 41% | 35% | 27% | 34% | 51% |
I follow it when something big is happening | 23% | 21% | 25% | 26% | 27% | 18% |
I only pay attention when there’s an election | 8% | 6% | 11% | 11% | 10% | 5% |
I have no interest in politics | 15% | 11% | 20% | 22% | 16% | 9% |
Base (n) | 1,075 | 527 | 548 | 328 | 373 | 374 |
Total | Federal Voting Intention (Lower House) | ||||
Labor | NET: Coalition | Greens | Independent / Other | ||
I follow it closely | 15% | 17% | 18% | 14% | 12% |
I follow it enough to know what’s happening | 38% | 35% | 50% | 37% | 37% |
I follow it when something big is happening | 23% | 26% | 21% | 28% | 18% |
I only pay attention when there’s an election | 8% | 12% | 5% | 10% | 9% |
I have no interest in politics | 15% | 20% | 6% | 11% | 23% |
Base (n) | 1,075 | 336 | 381 | 100 | 137 |
- Just 15% of people say they closely follow Federal politics, and the same proportion say they have no interest in politics.
- Those most likely to say they closely follow Federal politics are men (22%), those aged over 55 (17%) and Coalition voters (18%).
- Those most likely to say they have no interest in politics are women (20%), younger people aged 18-34 (22%), Labor voters (20%) and those who intend to vote for an independent candidate or other party (23%).

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- Performance of Scott Morrison
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- Importance of Australia’s international reputation
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- Views towards Australia’s international reputation
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