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Speed of Easing Restrictions

10 Jun 2020

Q. Overall, do you think your state or territory is moving too quickly, too slowly or at about the right speed when it comes to lifting lockdown restrictions?

    State
  Total NSW VIC QLD SA WA
Moving too quickly 20% 24% 20% 13% 18% 16%
About the right speed 67% 67% 70% 63% 71% 68%
Moving too slowly 13% 9% 9% 23% 10% 16%
Base (n) 1,073 336 275 214 85 108

Reopening pubs and clubs with patron restrictions

    State
  Total NSW VIC QLD SA WA
Moving too quickly 30% 33% 40% 19% 19% 25%
About the right speed 59% 60% 49% 62% 71% 63%
Moving too slowly 11% 7% 11% 19% 9% 12%
Base (n) 1,073 336 275 214 85 108

Reopening restaurants and cafes with patron restrictions

    State
  Total NSW VIC QLD SA WA
Moving too quickly 22% 23% 28% 13% 20% 19%
About the right speed 65% 67% 60% 64% 75% 68%
Moving too slowly 13% 10% 11% 23% 6% 14%
Base (n) 1,073 336 275 214 85 108

Allowing outside group exercise classes

    State
  Total NSW VIC QLD SA WA
Moving too quickly 16% 19% 19% 12% 13% 14%
About the right speed 72% 70% 72% 73% 76% 77%
Moving too slowly 12% 12% 9% 16% 11% 10%
Base (n) 1,073 336 275 214 85 108

Reopening schools for all students

    State
  Total NSW VIC QLD SA WA
Moving too quickly 23% 27% 30% 17% 14% 16%
About the right speed 67% 67% 57% 72% 79% 77%
Moving too slowly 10% 6% 13% 11% 7% 7%
Base (n) 1,073 336 275 214 85 108

Reopening borders between states and territories

    State
  Total NSW VIC QLD SA WA
Moving too quickly 24% 22% 25% 20% 36% 23%
About the right speed 58% 57% 57% 60% 52% 64%
Moving too slowly 18% 21% 18% 20% 12% 13%
Base (n) 1,073 336 275 214 85 108
  • Two-thirds (67%) of participants believe that their state/territory is moving at about the right speed when it comes to removing restrictions. 24% believe that the restrictions are being eased too quickly and another 18% say they are moving too slowly.
  • Queensland residents are most likely to say their state is moving too slowly (23%) while New South Wales residents are more likely to say their state is moving too quickly (24%).
  • Participants 18-34 years and those living capital cities are generally more likely to say that their state is lifting restrictions too quickly.
  • When asked about specific restrictions, participants are more likely to say allowing outside group exercise classes is moving at the right speed (72%) and less likely to say reopening pubs and clubs (59%) or reopening borders between states and territories (58%).
  • 40% Victorians think their government is moving too quickly to reopen pubs and clubs and 30% think schools are being reopened too quickly.
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