Statements about Indigenous Australian history and protests
Q. Below are some statements about the history of Indigenous Australians and the recent protests. To the best of your knowledge, do you believe each of the following to true or false?
| TOTAL: True | TOTAL: False | Definitely true | Probably true | Probably false | Definitely false | Don’t know enough | |
| Indigenous Australians were generally not allowed to vote in Australia until the 1960s | 67% | 13% | 36% | 31% | 9% | 4% | 20% |
| In the 19th and early 20th century, thousands of Indigenous Australians and people from the Pacific Islands were forced to work in Australia in conditions that amounted to slavery | 58% | 19% | 28% | 30% | 13% | 6% | 23% |
| Indigenous Australians are much more likely to be stopped by police than the average Australians, regardless of whether or not they have done anything wrong | 55% | 29% | 21% | 34% | 18% | 11% | 16% |
| Many of the new cases of Covid-19 in Victoria have been from people who attended the Black Lives Matter protest | 42% | 37% | 14% | 28% | 20% | 18% | 20% |
| TOTAL: True | Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | ||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
| Indigenous Australians were generally not allowed to vote in Australia until the 1960s | 67% | 69% | 66% | 62% | 63% | 76% | 70% | 68% | 79% | 63% |
| In the 19th and early 20th century, thousands of Indigenous Australians and people from the Pacific Islands were forced to work in Australia in conditions that amounted to slavery | 58% | 59% | 56% | 59% | 56% | 58% | 62% | 55% | 76% | 54% |
| Indigenous Australians are much more likely to be stopped by police than the average Australians, regardless of whether or not they have done anything wrong | 55% | 56% | 53% | 57% | 55% | 53% | 61% | 48% | 76% | 56% |
| Many of the new cases of Covid-19 in Victoria have been from people who attended the Black Lives Matter protest | 42% | 46% | 39% | 45% | 41% | 41% | 38% | 52% | 22% | 44% |
| Base (n) | 1,085 | 533 | 552 | 335 | 374 | 376 | 339 | 417 | 92 | 126 |
| TOTAL: True | State | Education | ||||||
| NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | Secondary Education | Professional Qualification | University Education | |
| Indigenous Australians were generally not allowed to vote in Australia until the 1960s | 67% | 68% | 65% | 72% | 64% | 69% | 66% | 68% |
| In the 19th and early 20th century, thousands of Indigenous Australians and people from the Pacific Islands were forced to work in Australia in conditions that amounted to slavery | 58% | 59% | 62% | 62% | 47% | 54% | 55% | 63% |
| Indigenous Australians are much more likely to be stopped by police than the average Australians, regardless of whether or not they have done anything wrong | 56% | 59% | 48% | 53% | 48% | 50% | 52% | 61% |
| Many of the new cases of Covid-19 in Victoria have been from people who attended the Black Lives Matter protest | 43% | 41% | 49% | 40% | 34% | 42% | 46% | 40% |
| Base (n) | 352 | 275 | 218 | 88 | 109 | 258 | 378 | 428 |
- 42% of participants say it’s true (definitely or probably) that many of the new cases of Covid-19 in Victoria have been from people who attended the Black Lives Matter protest and 67% believe it’s true that Indigenous Australians were generally not allowed to vote in Australia until the 1960s.
- Over half of participants believe that in the 19th and early 20th century, thousands of Indigenous Australians and people from the Pacific Islands were forced to work in Australia in conditions that amounted to slavery (58%) or Indigenous Australians are much more likely to be stopped by police than the average Australians, regardless of whether or not they have done anything wrong (55%) is true.
- Men (46%), Coalition voters (52%) and high income earners (50%) are more likely to say that many of the new cases of Covid-19 in Victoria have been from people who attended the Black Lives Matter protest is true than women (39%), all other voters (37%) and high income earners (50%).
Institutional Racism in Australia
Q. Institutional racism is where the institutions in a society are biased in a way that means particular ethnic groups are disadvantaged.
For example, Indigenous Australians are more likely to be arrested in some situations; whereas, white (European) Australians are more likely to be warned, cautioned or diverted away from the criminal justice system. Additionally, Indigenous Australians are more likely to die in custody than white Australians. To some people these arguments show that there is institutional racism against Indigenous Australians.
Which of the following best describes your view of institutional racism in Australia?
| Total | Federal Voting Intention | ||||
| Labor | Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
| There is no racism in Australian police forces | 9% | 7% | 11% | 8% | 11% |
| While there may be isolated incidents involving racism, police forces in Australia are not institutionally racist against Indigenous Australians | 43% | 40% | 54% | 21% | 50% |
| There is institutional racism in Australian police forces which is shown through many examples of discrimination against Indigenous Australians | 30% | 36% | 19% | 56% | 29% |
| I do not know enough about the issue to provide a view | 18% | 16% | 16% | 15% | 10% |
| Base (n) | 1,073 | 325 | 419 | 90 | 136 |
National Day
Q. It has been suggested that Australia should have a separate national day to recognise Indigenous Australians. Do you…?
| Jan ‘20 | Jan’19 | Oct ‘18 | |
| Support a separate day and keep Australia Day | 32% | 37% | 36% |
| Support a separate day to replace Australia Day | 18% | 15% | 14% |
| NET: Support a separate day | 50% | 52% | 50% |
| Do not support a separate day | 40% | 40% | 37% |
| Don’t know | 11% | 8% | 12% |
| Base (n) | 1,080 | 1,652 |
| Total | Labor | Liberal + National | Greens | NET: Other | |
| Support a separate day and keep Australia Day | 32% | 38% | 28% | 32% | 32% |
| Support a separate day to replace Australia Day | 18% | 20% | 12% | 42% | 9% |
| NET: Support a separate day | 50% | 58% | 40% | 73% | 42% |
| Do not support a separate day | 40% | 29% | 54% | 15% | 53% |
| Don’t know | 11% | 13% | 6% | 12% | 5% |
| Base (n) | 1,080 | 351 | 342 | 110 | 156 |
- Support for a separate day to recognise Indigenous Australians (either in place, or alongside Australia Day) has decreased 2%pts from last year, from 52% to 50%.
- 32% support including a separate national day with a further 18% supporting a replacement of Australia Day.
- Support for a separate day was highest among Greens (73%) and Labor (58%) voters.
| Total | Aged 18-34 | Aged 35-54 | Aged 55+ | |
| Support a separate day and keep Australia Day | 32% | 41% | 32% | 25% |
| Support a separate day to replace Australia Day | 18% | 24% | 18% | 11% |
| NET: Support a separate day | 50% | 65% | 50% | 36% |
| Do not support a separate day | 40% | 21% | 37% | 57% |
| Don’t know | 11% | 14% | 13% | 6% |
| Base (n) | 1,080 | 330 | 374 | 376 |
- Support for a separate day was highest among those aged 18-34, with 65% support. Support was at 50% support among 35-54 year olds and 36% among those aged over 55.
Australian Constitution
Q. If a referendum was held to include recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Australian Constitution, would you vote for or against?
|
Total
|
|
Vote Labor |
Vote Lib/Nat |
Vote Greens |
Vote other |
|
| Vote for |
58% |
69% |
50% |
74% |
50% |
|
| Vote against |
10% |
6% |
16% |
2% |
15% |
|
| Not sure |
32% |
24% |
35% |
24% |
35% |
58% would vote in a referendum to include recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Australian Constitution and only 10% would vote against. 32% were not sure how they would vote.
74% of Greens voters and 69% of Labor voters would vote for the change compared to 50% of Liberal/National voters.
Better or Worse for Aboriginal People – Tent Embassy
Q. Since the aboriginal tent embassy was established near Parliament House 40 years ago, have things got better or worse for Aboriginal people in Australia or have things stayed much the same?
| Total | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | |
| Total better | 53% | 59% | 53% | 60% |
| Total worse/same | 31% | 28% | 33% | 30% |
| A lot better | 25% | 29% | 28% | 9% |
| A little better | 28% | 30% | 25% | 51% |
| A little worse | 5% | 4% | 5% | 12% |
| A lot worse | 3% | 3% | 4% | 2% |
| Stayed much the same | 23% | 21% | 24% | 16% |
| Don’t know | 17% | 13% | 15% | 9% |
25% think that since the Aboriginal tent embassy was established near Parliament House 40 years ago, things got a lot better for Aboriginal people in Australia, 28% think things have got a little better and 31% worse or stayed the same
Greens voters are more likely to think things have only got a little better (51%). Older respondents were more likely to think things were the same or had got worse (40% of aged 55+).
Better or Worse for Aboriginal People – last 40 years
Q. And thinking about the last 40 years, do you think Australia’s Aboriginal people are now better off or worse off in terms of the following?
| Total better | Total worse
/same |
A lot better | A little better | About the same | A little worse | A lot worse | Don’t know | |
| Health | 69% | 26% | 29% | 40% | 19% | 4% | 3% | 5% |
| Access to education | 77% | 19% | 42% | 35% | 14% | 3% | 2% | 5% |
| Access to jobs | 69% | 26% | 31% | 38% | 20% | 3% | 3% | 6% |
| Respect for Aboriginal culture | 66% | 29% | 30% | 36% | 20% | 5% | 4% | 6% |
| Control of traditional lands (land rights) | 63% | 29% | 31% | 32% | 21% | 5% | 3% | 8% |
| Discrimination against Aboriginal people | 56% | 37% | 23% | 33% | 28% | 5% | 4% | 6% |
A majority believe that Australia’s Aboriginal people are now better off or worse off on all issues measured.
Access to education was most likely to be considered better – 42% think it is a lot better and 35% a little better.
Discrimination against Aboriginal people was the issue least likely to have improved for Aboriginal people – 56% think it is better and 37% worse or the same. Comments »
Problems for Aboriginal People
Q. Are each of the following issues a larger problem or a smaller problem for Aboriginal people than they are for other Australians?
| Total bigger problem for Aboriginal people | A much bigger problem | A little bigger problem | A similar problem | A little smaller problem | A much smaller problem | Don’t know | |
| Alcohol abuse | 74% | 51% | 23% | 17% | 2% | 2% | 6% |
| Health issues | 65% | 37% | 28% | 21% | 6% | 4% | 5% |
| Unemployment | 63% | 37% | 26% | 22% | 6% | 4% | 6% |
| Loss of culture and tradition. | 56% | 29% | 27% | 26% | 5% | 6% | 8% |
| Discrimination | 55% | 25% | 30% | 28% | 5% | 6% | 6% |
| Family breakdown | 50% | 25% | 25% | 33% | 4% | 3% | 10% |
| Access to education | 44% | 17% | 27% | 31% | 10% | 8% | 6% |
| Threats to their environment | 41% | 18% | 23% | 37% | 7% | 6% | 9% |
| Access to accommodation | 40% | 15% | 25% | 30% | 12% | 9% | 10% |
| Access to services/ resources in rural communities | 37% | 17% | 20% | 30% | 13% | 11% | 9% |
| Legal rights | 30% | 11% | 19% | 34% | 13% | 15% | 8% |
A majority of respondents think Aboriginal people have larger problems than other Australians in terms of alcohol abuse (74%), health issues (65%), unemployment (63%), loss of culture and tradition (56%), discrimination (55%) and family breakdown (50%).
A majority believe they have similar or smaller problems in terms of legal rights (62%), access to services/resources in rural communities (54%), access to accommodation (51%) and threats to their environment (50%). Comments »
Party Best at Handling Aboriginal Issues
Q. Which party do you think is best to handle issues concerning Australia’s Aboriginal people?
| Total | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | |
| The Labor Party | 22% | 54% | 4% | 32% |
| The Liberal Party | 18% | 2% | 41% | 1% |
| No difference | 41% | 30% | 40% | 52% |
| Don’t know | 19% | 14% | 16% | 15% |
41% think there is no difference between the Liberal and Labor Parties in terms of handling issues concerning Australia’s Aboriginal people. 22% think the Labor Party is best and 18% favour the Liberal Party.
Liberal voters (41%) were less likely than Labor voters (54%) to think their own party would be best to handle Aboriginal issues. Comments »
COVID-19 RESEARCH
Read Essential's ongoing research on the public response to Covid-19.
Download this week's ReportEssential Report
Two Party Preferred:
In this week's report:
- Performance of Scott Morrison
- Performance of Anthony Albanese
- Preferred Prime Minister
- Top Federal Government priorities for 2021
- Uptake of a Covid-19 vaccine
- Perceptions of change in the standard of living for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- Changing views towards Australia Day
- Support towards a separate national day
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