Essential Report
Party trust to handle issues
Which party would you trust most to handle the following issues?
Liberal | Labor | Don’t know | Difference Liberal – Labor | ||
Security and the war on terrorism | 40% | 20% | 40% | +20 | |
Management of the economy | 41% | 22% | 36% | +19 | |
Controlling interest rates | 37% | 21% | 42% | +16 | |
Political leadership | 37% | 21% | 42% | +16 | |
Managing population growth | 33% | 21% | 45% | +12 | |
Treatment of asylum seekers | 31% | 26% | 42% | +5 | |
Ensuring a fair taxation system | 33% | 29% | 38% | +4 | |
Ensuring a quality water supply | 28% | 25% | 47% | +3 | |
Housing affordability | 28% | 32% | 40% | -4 | |
Ensuring the quality of Australia’s health system | 29% | 33% | 37% | -4 | |
Ensuring a quality education for all children | 30% | 35% | 35% | -5 | |
Protecting Australian jobs and protection of local industries | 29% | 35% | 36% | -6 | |
Addressing climate change | 25% | 33% | 42% | -8 | |
Protecting the environment | 24% | 33% | 44% | -9 | |
A fair industrial relations system | 28% | 38% | 33% | -10 |
The Liberal Party is trusted more to handle security and the war on terrorism (40% to 20%), management of the economy (41%/22%), controlling interest rates (37%/21%), political leadership (37%/21%) and managing population growth (33%/21%).
The Labor Party is trusted more to handle a fair industrial relations system (38% to 28%), protecting the environment (33%/24%) and addressing climate change (33%/25%).

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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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