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Support for Right to Protest laws

12 Nov 2019

Q. Scott Morrison has flagged changing the law to stop environmental and other civil society groups or consumers campaigning against big resource projects. This change could make consumer or environmental boycotts illegal.

Based on what you understand, to what extent do you support or oppose the Prime Minister’s proposal?

    Gender Age
  Total Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+
Strongly support 14% 18% 11% 12% 11% 19%
Somewhat support 19% 20% 18% 23% 16% 18%
Neither support, nor oppose 28% 24% 31% 29% 33% 22%
Somewhat oppose 15% 13% 17% 12% 18% 15%
Strongly oppose 24% 25% 23% 24% 22% 26%
NET: Support 33% 38% 29% 35% 27% 37%
NET: Oppose 39% 38% 40% 36% 40% 41%
Base (n) 1,075 526 549 327 371 377
  • Overall, there was more opposition to support for the Government’s proposals stop environmental and other civil society groups or consumers campaigning against big resource projects (39% to 33%). 28% neither support nor oppose the proposals.
  • Support was highest among men (38%) and those aged 55+ (37%).
  Total Voting Intention Protest Activity
Labor Coalition Greens NET: Other Participated in protest activity Not participated in protest activity
Strongly support 14% 9% 26% 1% 11% 15% 13%
Somewhat support 19% 15% 30% 11% 13% 16% 23%
Neither support, nor oppose 28% 27% 24% 13% 30% 22% 37%
Somewhat oppose 15% 17% 12% 18% 18% 16% 14%
Strongly oppose 24% 32% 8% 57% 29% 31% 13%
NET: Support 33% 24% 56% 12% 23% 31% 36%
NET: Oppose 39% 49% 20% 76% 47% 46% 27%
Base (n) 1,075 325 377 107 155 682 393
  • Just over half of Coalition voters support the Government’s proposals (56%). The proposal receives lower support among Labor (24%), Greens (12%), and minor party/independent voters (23%).
  • Those who have participated in a protest activity are more likely than those who have not to oppose the proposed changes (46% to 27%).
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