Essential Report
Agreement with AUKUS implications
Q. Australia recently announced a trilateral partnership with the US and UK (known as AUKUS) which will deliver a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines for Australia.
The new security pact sees Australia cancel its previous deal with France’s Naval Group to build conventionally powered submarines.
How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statements about the new AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine partnership?
TOTAL: Agree | TOTAL: Disagree | Strongly agree | Somewhat agree | Neither agree nor disagree | Somewhat disagree | Strongly disagree | |
Australia is right to build strong relations with the US and UK for its national defence | 62% | 8% | 33% | 29% | 30% | 5% | 3% |
The AUKUS partnership strains Australia’s trade relations with China who see it as a threat | 55% | 8% | 20% | 35% | 37% | 5% | 3% |
The AUKUS partnership may endanger future trade deals with France and the EU | 48% | 13% | 16% | 32% | 39% | 9% | 4% |
The AUKUS partnership is in Australia’s best security and economic interests | 54% | 12% | 26% | 28% | 34% | 7% | 5% |
Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||
Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
Australia is right to build strong relations with the US and UK for its national defence | 62% | 68% | 56% | 49% | 58% | 77% | 59% | 78% | 44% | 58% |
The AUKUS partnership strains Australia’s trade relations with China who see it as a threat | 55% | 61% | 49% | 49% | 54% | 61% | 57% | 57% | 65% | 55% |
The AUKUS partnership may endanger future trade deals with France and the EU | 48% | 49% | 47% | 47% | 47% | 49% | 53% | 47% | 64% | 48% |
The AUKUS partnership is in Australia’s best security and economic interests | 54% | 62% | 46% | 45% | 50% | 66% | 49% | 72% | 36% | 47% |
Base (n) | 1,094 | 539 | 555 | 341 | 368 | 385 | 366 | 397 | 101 | 130 |
- While 62% think it is good for Australia to strengthen relations with the US and UK through the AUKUS partnership, 55% acknowledge it will strain the trading relationship with China and 48% see the risk to relationships with France and other EU countries.
- Just over half think the AUKUS partnership is in Australia’s best economic and security interests (54%).
- The partnership appeals to Coalition voters, who are most likely to think it is right to build strong relations with the UK and US (78%) and agree that the deal is in Australia’s best interests (72%).
National security and AUKUS partnership
Q. Thinking about the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine partnership, which is closer to your view?
Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||
Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
The AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine partnership will make Australia more secure | 45% | 47% | 44% | 34% | 40% | 60% | 39% | 62% | 30% | 38% |
The AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine partnership will not affect Australia’s security | 36% | 34% | 37% | 48% | 36% | 24% | 39% | 27% | 40% | 33% |
The AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine partnership will make Australia less secure | 19% | 19% | 19% | 18% | 24% | 15% | 22% | 12% | 30% | 29% |
Base (n) | 1,094 | 539 | 555 | 341 | 368 | 385 | 366 | 397 | 101 | 130 |
- Less than half think the AUKUS partnership will make Australia more secure (45%). 36% think it will not affect our security and 19% think we are now at more risk.
- Those aged over 55 and Coalition voters are most likely to believe Australia is now more secure due to the AUKUS partnership.

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