Australian involvement in Afghanistan, Essential Report, Polling, Troops in Afghanistan
Q. Thinking about the Australian troops in Afghanistan, do you think Australia should –
| 25 Oct 2010 | 21 Mar 2011 | Total | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | |
| Increase the number of troops in Afghanistan | 10% | 5% | 4% | 5% | 3% | 3% |
| Keep the same number of troops in Afghanistan | 30% | 30% | 26% | 26% | 32% | 15% |
| Withdraw our troops from Afghanistan | 47% | 56% | 64% | 61% | 60% | 75% |
| Don’t know | 14% | 9% | 7% | 7% | 5% | 6% |
64% (up 8%) think Australia should withdraw our troops from Afghanistan, 26% (down 4%) think we should maintain troop numbers and 4% (down 1%) think we should increase them.
Since October last year, support for withdrawal of Australian troops has increased from 47% to 64%. There was majority support for withdrawal by all voting groups – 60% of Lib/Nat voters, 61% labor and 75% Greens. Support for withdrawal was also similar across age, gender and income.
afghanistan, Afghanistan War, Al Qaeda, Australian involvement in Afghanistan, Australian Military
Q. Here are some reasons which are given for continuing to have Australian involvement in the war in Afghanistan. For each one could you tell me whether you think that is a very good reason, a fairly good reason, or not really a good reason at all.
| Very good reason | Fairly good reason | Not a good reason at all | Don’t know | |
| To fight Al Qaeda and terrorism | 34% | 33% | 25% | 8% |
| To maintain our strategic alliance with the US | 11% | 36% | 45% | 8% |
| To build democracy in Afghanistan | 30% | 35% | 25% | 9% |
| To further human rights in Afghanistan, such as the rights of women | 43% | 32% | 17% | 8% |
| Total very good reason | Labor | Liberal | Greens | |
| To fight Al Qaeda and terrorism | 34% | 35% | 44% | 11% |
| To maintain our strategic alliance with the US | 11% | 12% | 14% | 7% |
| To build democracy in Afghanistan | 30% | 34% | 34% | 16% |
| To further human rights in Afghanistan, such as the rights of women | 43% | 48% | 45% | 38% |
Respondents believe the best reasons for continuing Australian involvement in Afghanistan are to further human rights such as the rights of women (43%) and to fight Al Qaeda and terrorism (34%).
Liberal/National voters are more inclined to nominate fighting Al Qaeda and terrorism (44%) while Labor voters are more likely to think furthering human rights in Afghanistan, such as the rights of women (48%) is a very good reason.