Troops in Afghanistan
Q. Thinking about the Australian troops in Afghanistan, do you think Australia should –
25 Oct 2010 |
21 Mar 2011 |
29 Aug |
21 Nov |
Total |
Vote Labor |
Vote Lib/Nat |
Vote Greens |
|
Increase the number of troops in Afghanistan |
10% |
5% |
4% |
3% |
4% |
4% |
4% |
6% |
Keep the same number of troops in Afghanistan |
30% |
30% |
26% |
22% |
22% |
21% |
27% |
18% |
Withdraw our troops from Afghanistan |
47% |
56% |
64% |
64% |
64% |
64% |
62% |
69% |
Don’t know |
14% |
9% |
7% |
11% |
10% |
11% |
7% |
6% |
64% (no change since November 2011) think Australia should withdraw our troops from Afghanistan, 22% (no change) think we should maintain troop numbers and 4% (up 1%) think we should increase them.
In the past 12 months, support for withdrawal of Australian troops has increased from 56% to 64%. There was majority support for withdrawal by all voting groups – 62% of Lib/Nat voters, 64% Labor and 69% Greens. Support for withdrawal was 71% among people aged 55+ and women were more likely than men to support withdrawal of troops (69% to 59%).
Women in Defence Forces
Q. From what you’ve read and heard, do you think that women are generally respected and treated fairly in Australia’s defence forces or are they not respected or treated fairly?
Total |
Vote Labor |
Vote Lib/Nat |
Vote Greens |
Men |
Women |
|
Respected and treated fairly |
31% |
34% |
34% |
24% |
37% |
25% |
Not respected or treated fairly |
44% |
43% |
41% |
58% |
40% |
48% |
Don’t know |
25% |
23% |
25% |
18% |
23% |
27% |
44% think that women in Australia’s defence forces are not respected or treated fairly, 31% think they are respected and treated fairly and 25% don’t know.
Only 25% of women think women in the defence forces are respected and treated fairly compared to 37% of men. 54% of respondents aged 55+ think they are not respected or treated fairly.
Troops in Afghanistan
Q. Thinking about the Australian troops in Afghanistan, do you think Australia should –
25 Oct 10 | 21 Mar 11 | Total | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | |
Increase the number of troops in Afghanistan | 10% | 5% | 6% | 4% | 8% | 1% |
Keep the same number of troops in Afghanistan | 30% | 30% | 36% | 37% | 43% | 25% |
Withdraw our troops from Afghanistan | 47% | 56% | 48% | 49% | 41% | 65% |
Don’t know | 14% | 9% | 11% | 10% | 8% | 9% |
42% think that the Australian troops in Afghanistan should be increased or maintained and 48% think Australia should withdraw its troops. This is a significant drop (-8%) in support for withdrawal since this question was last asked in March.

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