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  • Mar, 2021

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    Support towards aged care levy

    Q. Last week the Royal Commission into the aged care system released its findings and recommendations.

    A major recommendation was the introduction of a levy on all taxpayers to pay for the costs of aged care, similar to the Medicare levy. 

    To what extent do you support or oppose the introduction of an aged care levy?

      Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
    Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor TOTAL: Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
    Strongly support 12% 14% 11% 6% 15% 16% 11% 13% 14% 14%
    Somewhat support 26% 27% 25% 23% 23% 32% 30% 26% 29% 19%
    Neither support nor oppose 31% 29% 33% 46% 27% 23% 32% 27% 26% 32%
    Somewhat oppose 14% 12% 15% 13% 15% 13% 14% 14% 12% 15%
    Strongly oppose 17% 18% 15% 12% 21% 16% 13% 19% 19% 20%
    TOTAL: Support 38% 41% 36% 29% 38% 48% 41% 40% 43% 33%
    TOTAL: Oppose 30% 30% 30% 25% 36% 30% 27% 33% 31% 35%
    Base (n) 1,124 553 571 337 383 404 375 410 98 142
    • While 38% support the introduction of an aged care levy, a third (30% oppose) and a further third are undecided (31%).
    • Significant difference in support is only seen among the three age cohorts. Unsurprisingly, support is higher with age (48% of those over 55 support the levy, followed by 38% of those 35-54 and 29% of those 18-34). Nearly half (46%) of those 18-34 are undecided about whether they would support or oppose the introduction of an aged care levy.
  • Sep, 2020

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    Support for loan system for aged care

    Q. The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Assurance is investigating the current funding system for residential support and aged care. One suggestion for improvement is to introduce a loan scheme to pay for a person’s care in retirement. The personal loan is paid off using the person’s assets only after they die, with any outstanding loan amount covered by the government.

    To what extent would you support or oppose this loan system for aged care if it were introduced?

      Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
      Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor Liberal + National Greens TOTAL: Other
    Strongly oppose 12% 12% 12% 7% 12% 17% 10% 9% 18% 23%
    Somewhat oppose 18% 20% 16% 19% 18% 18% 22% 17% 22% 16%
    Somewhat support 37% 40% 34% 43% 35% 33% 39% 41% 32% 27%
    Strongly support 11% 13% 10% 13% 13% 8% 10% 16% 9% 5%
    Unsure 22% 15% 28% 18% 23% 24% 19% 16% 19% 30%
    TOTAL: Oppose 30% 32% 29% 25% 29% 35% 32% 27% 41% 38%
    TOTAL: Support 48% 53% 44% 56% 47% 41% 49% 57% 41% 32%
    Base (n) 1,081 539 542 338 374 369 298 460 115 104
    • Just under half of people (48%) say they would support (somewhat/strongly) a change of funding for aged care to a loan-style system. Under a third opposed the idea (30%) and a further fifth (22%) were unsure.
    • Younger people aged 18-34 were more supportive of the suggestion than those aged over 55 (56% to 41%). There was high support among Coalition voters (57%).
  • Sep, 2020

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    Responsibility for Covid-19 Outbreak in Aged Care

    Q. In your opinion, who is most responsible for the recent Covid-19 outbreaks and spread of the virus within aged care facilities?

      07/09 24/08
     
    Federal Government 31% 28%
    State or Territory governments 28% 30%
    Aged Care providers 41% 42%
    Base (n) 1,076 1,068

     

      Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
      Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor Liberal + National Greens TOTAL: Other
    Federal Government 31% 36% 27% 37% 35% 22% 42% 23% 34% 34%
    State or Territory governments 28% 29% 28% 37% 27% 23% 26% 33% 31% 17%
    Aged care providers 41% 36% 45% 26% 38% 55% 32% 44% 35% 49%
    Base (n) 1076 524 552 326 365 385 321 390 108 138
    • Responsibility for the outbreaks in aged care is shared between Federal and state governments, an aged care providers. Consistent with results a fortnight ago, 42% say the providers hold the most responsibility (42% in last poll), 31% identify the Federal government (no change from 28%) and 28% the state governments (from 30%).
    • Women, people aged over 55 and Coalition voters are most likely to hold aged care providers responsible, while Labor voters are more likely to say the Federal government has the most responsibility (42%).
  • Sep, 2020

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    Statements about Covid-19 Outbreak in Aged Care

    Q. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the recent Covid-19 outbreaks and spread of the virus within aged care facilities?

    TOTAL: AGREE 07/09 24/08
    Authorities failed to prepare an adequate Covid-19 strategy to deal with outbreaks in aged care facilities 77% 77%
    Hygiene and care standards in private care homes are poor which has contributed to the spread of Covid-19 69% 71%
    Covid-19 has entered and spread through aged care facilities because of community transmission from friends and families of residents 67% 67%
    The impact of Covid-19 in aged care facilities has been worsened by long-term underfunding of the aged care sector 72% 70%

     

      TOTAL: AGREE TOTAL: DISAGREE Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Unsure
    Authorities failed to prepare an adequate Covid-19 strategy to deal with outbreaks in aged care facilities 77% 15% 38% 39% 11% 4% 8%
    Hygiene and care standards in private care homes are poor which has contributed to the spread of Covid-19 69% 20% 30% 39% 15% 5% 11%
    Covid-19 has entered and spread through aged care facilities because of community transmission from friends and families of residents 67% 20% 26% 41% 15% 5% 13%
    The impact of Covid-19 in aged care facilities has been worsened by long-term underfunding of the aged care sector 72% 17% 36% 36% 12% 5% 11%

     

      Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
    TOTAL: AGREE Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor Liberal + National Greens TOTAL: Other
    Authorities failed to prepare an adequate Covid-19 strategy to deal with outbreaks in aged care facilities 77% 77% 78% 66% 78% 86% 83% 79% 78% 79%
    Hygiene and care standards in private care homes are poor which has contributed to the spread of Covid-19 69% 71% 67% 58% 70% 78% 74% 72% 62% 77%
    Covid-19 has entered and spread through aged care facilities because of community transmission from friends and families of residents 67% 71% 63% 66% 74% 61% 67% 69% 70% 71%
    The impact of Covid-19 in aged care facilities has been worsened by long-term underfunding of the aged care sector 72% 71% 73% 64% 74% 76% 79% 71% 84% 69%
    Base (n) 1,076 524 552 326 365 385 321 390 108 138
    • Perceptions of the causes of the spread of Covid-19 within aged care facilities are consistent with previous results. A majority of people believe that there was insufficient preparation from authorities (77% agreement) and that long-term underfunding of aged care facilities has worsened the impact (72%)
    • Similar numbers also agree that the hygiene and care standards in private care homes has contributed to the spread of (69%) and that community transmission from friends and families of residents has also contributed to the spread (67%).
  • Sep, 2020

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    Medicare tax increase

    Q. It has been proposed that the Medicare levy could be increased from 2% to 2.65% to fund improvements to the aged care sector.

    To what extent would you support or oppose this increase?

      Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
      Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor Liberal + National Greens TOTAL: Other
    Strongly oppose 15% 17% 13% 10% 22% 12% 11% 13% 11% 37%
    Somewhat oppose 17% 18% 16% 23% 16% 13% 17% 18% 23% 13%
    Neither support, nor oppose 32% 28% 36% 38% 28% 31% 31% 28% 33% 29%
    Somewhat support 23% 24% 22% 21% 22% 27% 28% 27% 17% 13%
    Strongly support 12% 13% 12% 8% 12% 17% 14% 13% 15% 7%
    TOTAL: Oppose 32% 35% 29% 33% 38% 25% 28% 31% 35% 51%
    TOTAL: Support 36% 37% 35% 29% 34% 44% 41% 41% 32% 21%
    Base (n) 1,076 524 552 326 365 385 321 390 108 138
    • The proposal to increase the Medicare levy to help fund the aged care sector could be a polarising issue for Australians. Similar proportions say they support (36%) and oppose (32%) the proposal
    • Support for increasing the levy is highest mong those aged over 55 years (44%).
    • There is net support among voters of the two major parties – 41% support, 28% opposition among Labor voters and 41% support, 31% oppose among Coalition voters). Those voting for minor, or independent candidates generally oppose the proposal (51% oppose, 21% support).
  • Aug, 2020

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    Responsibility for Covid-19 Outbreak in Aged Care

    Q. In your opinion, who is most responsible for the recent Covid-19 outbreaks and spread of the virus within aged care facilities?

      Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
      Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor Liberal + National Greens TOTAL: Other
    Federal Government 28% 32% 24% 31% 32% 21% 34% 25% 28% 31%
    State or Territory governments 30% 29% 31% 37% 30% 24% 26% 32% 35% 28%
    Aged Care providers 42% 39% 45% 32% 37% 55% 40% 43% 37% 41%
    Base (n) 1,068 513 555 317 370 381 313 447 96 118

     

    • Similar proportions of people attribute responsibility to the spread of Covid-19 within aged care facilities to Federal (28%) and state (30%) governments. However more (42%) place the responsibility on the providers of aged care.
    • Men are more likely than women to say the Federal government is responsible (32% to 24%).
    • Coalition voters are least likely to believe the Federal government is responsible for the outbreaks of Covid-19 within aged care facilities (25%).
  • Aug, 2020

    Funding for Aged Care

    Q. As far as you are aware, who is responsible for regulation and funding of private aged care facilities?

      Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
      Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor Liberal + National Greens TOTAL: Other
    Federal Government 49% 53% 44% 40% 49% 56% 51% 53% 46% 47%
    State or Territory governments 27% 27% 27% 34% 27% 21% 28% 26% 36% 32%
    Unsure 25% 20% 29% 26% 25% 24% 22% 22% 19% 21%
    Base (n) 1,068 513 555 317 370 381 313 447 96 118

     

    • About half of people correctly know that the Federal Government is responsible for the regulation and funding of private aged care facilities.
  • Aug, 2020

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    Statements about Covid-19 Outbreak in Aged Care

    Q. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the recent Covid-19 outbreaks and spread of the virus within aged care facilities?

      TOTAL: AGREE TOTAL: DISAGREE Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Unsure
    Authorities failed to prepare an adequate Covid-19 strategy to deal with outbreaks in aged care facilities 77% 14% 38% 39% 11% 3% 9%
    Hygiene and care standards in private care homes are poor which has contributed to the spread of Covid-19 71% 17% 32% 39% 13% 4% 12%
    Covid-19 has entered and spread through aged care facilities because of community transmission from friends and families of residents 67% 19% 24% 42% 13% 6% 14%
    The impact of Covid-19 in aged care facilities has been worsened by long-term underfunding of the aged care sector 70% 18% 34% 26% 14% 4% 12%

     

      Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
    TOTAL: AGREE Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor Liberal + National Greens TOTAL: Other
    Authorities failed to prepare an adequate Covid-19 strategy to deal with outbreaks in aged care facilities 77% 77% 77% 69% 78% 83% 82% 79% 79% 73%
    Hygiene and care standards in private care homes are poor which has contributed to the spread of Covid-19 71% 73% 69% 62% 70% 78% 74% 74% 63% 73%
    Covid-19 has entered and spread through aged care facilities because of community transmission from friends and families of residents 67% 72% 62% 69% 72% 61% 68% 73% 68% 58%
    The impact of Covid-19 in aged care facilities has been worsened by long-term underfunding of the aged care sector 70% 70% 70% 69% 71% 70% 77% 68% 85% 67%
    Base (n) 1,068 513 555 317 370 381 313 447 96 118

     

    • There is acknowledgement in the community of a range of factors that have contributed to the spread of Covid-19 within aged care facilities. A majority of people believe that there was insufficient preparation from authorities (77% agreement) and that long-term underfunding of aged care facilities has worsened the impact.
    • Similar numbers also agree that the hygiene and care standards in private care homes has contributed to the spread of (71%) and that community transmission from friends and families of residents has also contributed to the spread (67%).
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