Media Coverage of Politicians’ Private Lives

Q. There have been some recent situations where a politician has resigned from their position or their party after some aspects of their sexual behaviour were made public by the media. Is it appropriate for the media to reveal details of a political figure’s private life?

Yes, in all circumstances	12%
Yes, in some circumstances	42%
No, not at all	38%
Don’t know	8%

A majority (54%) believe it is appropriate for the media to reveal details of a political figure’s personal life in some or all circumstances. 12% think details should be revealed in all circumstances and 42% in some circumstances. 38% say details of a political figure’s personal life should not be revealed at all. 64% of Liberal/National voters and 50% of Labor voters approved revealing details of political figure’s personal life in some or all circumstances.  Greens voters were split 50% some/all, 50% not at all. There were no substantial demographic differences.