Essential Report
Politicians Lying
Q. Which statement best reflects your view:
Total | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | ||
When a politician makes a statement or commitment they should stick to it no matter what | 17% | 12% | 21% | 16% | |
As situations change, it is reasonable that politicians change their positions | 47% | 65% | 36% | 61% | |
Politicians almost always lie – it’s naive to think otherwise | 36% | 23% | 43% | 23% |
The most common position taken by respondents is that ‘as situations change, it is reasonable that politicians change their positions’ (47%). Labor voters are the most likely to adopt this position.
Thirty six (36%) of respondents took the view that ‘politicians almost always like – it’s naïve to think otherwise’, and Coalition voters are the most likely to take this view.
Only 17% of respondents felt that ‘when a politician make a statement or commitment they should stick to it not matter what’, with Coalition voters the most likely to adopt this view.

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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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