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  • May, 2020

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    Government response to Covid-19

    Q. Overall, how would you rate the Government’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak?

      11/05 04/05 27/04 20/04 13/04 06/04 29/03 22/03
    Very poor 4% 4% 4% 5% 6% 6% 11% 9%
    Quite poor 9% 9% 9% 10% 12% 15% 21% 20%
    Neither good, nor poor 16% 20% 17% 21% 20% 21% 24% 26%
    Quite good 39% 38% 44% 42% 40% 37% 34% 33%
    Very good 32% 28% 26% 23% 23% 21% 11% 12%
    TOTAL: Poor 13% 14% 13% 15% 17% 21% 31% 29%
    TOTAL: Good 71% 66% 70% 65% 63% 58% 45% 45%
    Base (n) 1,067 1,093 1,054 1,051 1,068 1,069 1,086 1,034

     

        Gender Age Group Location
      Total Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Capital Non-Capital
    Very poor 4% 5% 3% 5% 4% 2% 4% 3%
    Quite poor 9% 9% 8% 12% 11% 4% 9% 7%
    Neither good, nor poor 16% 16% 17% 25% 15% 10% 15% 18%
    Quite good 39% 38% 40% 43% 38% 37% 41% 35%
    Very good 32% 31% 32% 14% 31% 47% 29% 36%
    TOTAL: Poor 13% 15% 11% 17% 15% 6% 14% 11%
    TOTAL: Good 71% 69% 73% 57% 70% 84% 71% 71%
    Base (n) 1,067 532 535 341 341 385 718 349
  • May, 2020

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    State Government response to Covid-19

    Q. How would you rate your state government’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak?

      11/05 04/05 27/04 20/04 13/04
    Very poor 4% 4% 4% 5% 5%
    Quite poor 8% 8% 9% 9% 11%
    Neither good, nor poor 16% 18% 17% 20% 20%
    Quite good 39% 38% 41% 39% 38%
    Very good 34% 31% 30% 26% 26%
    TOTAL: Poor 12% 12% 13% 14% 16%
    TOTAL: Good 73% 70% 70% 66% 64%
    Base (n) 1,067 1,093 1,054 1,051 1,068

     

        State
      Total NSW VIC QLD SA WA
    Very poor 4% 5% 4% 3% 1% 1%
    Quite poor 8% 7% 11% 9% 3% 4%
    Neither good, nor poor 16% 18% 15% 18% 19% 12%
    Quite good 39% 42% 34% 44% 36% 30%
    Very good 34% 28% 37% 26% 42% 54%
    TOTAL: Poor 12% 12% 14% 12% 4% 5%
    TOTAL: Good 73% 70% 71% 70% 78% 83%
    Base (n) 1,067 337 275 215 88 103
  • May, 2020

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    Easing restrictions

    Q. When do you think governments should start to ease the restrictions on travel and gatherings to allow offices, shops, restaurants, other workplaces, and public spaces to start operating again?

      11/05 04/05 27/04 20/04
    As soon as possible 13% 10% 10% 9%
    Within the next 1 to 2 weeks 12% 9% 7% 6%
    Within the next month 22% 21% 18% 14%
    By the end of next month 20% 15% 15% 13%
    It is too soon to consider easing restrictions 27% 37% 42% 49%
    Unsure 6% 8% 8% 10%
    Base (n) 1,067 1,093 1,054 1,051

     

      Federal Voting Intention
    Labor Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
    As soon as possible 11% 15% 4% 17%
    Within the next 1 to 2 weeks 10% 15% 4% 18%
    Within the next month 17% 25% 35% 17%
    By the end of next month 24% 17% 15% 17%
    It is too soon to consider easing restrictions 33% 23% 35% 20%
    Unsure 5% 4% 6% 10%
    Base (n) 306 418 86 143
    • People are becoming increasingly open to easing the lockdown restrictions – now just over a quarter (27%) believe it’s too soon to consider easing restrictions and 20% say that the government could ease restrictions by the end of June.
    • Labor and Greens voters (33% and 35% respectively) are more likely to say it’s too soon to consider easing restrictions than Coalition and other voters (23% and 20%).
  • May, 2020

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    Attitudes towards the tracing app

    Q. To what extent do you agree or disagree with these statements about the suggested COVIDSafe app?

      TOTAL: Agree TOTAL: Disagree Strongly agree Somewhat agree Neither agree, nor disagree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree
    This app would help limit the spread of Covid-19 55% 20% 20% 34% 25% 11% 9%
    This app would speed up the removal of physical distancing restrictions 48% 21% 15% 33% 31% 14% 7%
    I would be concerned with the security of my personal data if this app was on my phone 47% 29% 23% 24% 24% 17% 12%
    I’m confident the government will adequately protect any data it collects about me via the app 45% 31% 18% 27% 24% 17% 13%
    I’m confident the government will not misuse any data it collects about me via the app 44% 29% 18% 27% 26% 16% 13%
    I would be comfortable being in close contact with others who didn’t have the app 39% 25% 13% 26% 37% 16% 9%

     

    TOTAL: Agree   Gender Age Group
    Total Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+
    This app would help limit the spread of Covid-19 55% 55% 54% 49% 51% 63%
    This app would speed up the removal of physical distancing restrictions 48% 50% 47% 45% 48% 51%
    I would be concerned with the security of my personal data if this app was on my phone 47% 47% 47% 49% 54% 39%
    I’m confident the government will adequately protect any data it collects about me via the app 45% 47% 44% 42% 44% 49%
    I’m confident the government will not misuse any data it collects about me via the app 44% 45% 43% 39% 42% 51%
    I would be comfortable being in close contact with others who didn’t have the app 39% 42% 36% 40% 41% 35%
    Base (n) 1,067 532 535 341 341 385

     

    TOTAL: Agree Federal Voting Intention
    Labor Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
    This app would help limit the spread of Covid-19 55% 64% 44% 44%
    This app would speed up the removal of physical distancing restrictions 47% 57% 40% 37%
    I would be concerned with the security of my personal data if this app was on my phone 54% 38% 53% 57%
    I’m confident the government will adequately protect any data it collects about me via the app 43% 58% 25% 35%
    I’m confident the government will not misuse any data it collects about me via the app 40% 56% 33% 33%
    I would be comfortable being in close contact with others who didn’t have the app 43% 40% 31% 44%
    Base (n) 306 418 86 143
    • Less than half agree that they are confident the government will adequately protect any data it collects (45%) and not misuse that data (44%).
    • 55% agree the app would help limit the spread of Covid-19, 48% agree it would speed up the removal of physical distancing restrictions and 39% would be comfortable being in close contact with others who don’t have the app.
    • 47% are concerned with the security of their personal data if this app was on their phone.
  • May, 2020

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    Support for Government reactions to new clusters

    Q. To what extent do you support or oppose the following actions the government could take if future clusters of new infections appear?

      TOTAL: Support TOTAL: Oppose Strongly support Somewhat support Neither support, nor oppose Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose
    Restrict any travel to or from geographic areas with infection clusters 77% 9% 48% 29% 14% 5% 4%
    Increase fines for people found to be breaching the existing restrictions 67% 14% 37% 30% 19% 8% 6%
    Return to restrictions on physical distance, movement and work types nation-wide 63% 14% 31% 33% 22% 9% 5%
    Make downloading the COVIDSafe app mandatory 38% 38% 16% 21% 24% 17% 22%

     

    TOTAL: Support   Age Group Federal Voting Intention
    Total 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
    Restrict any travel to or from geographic areas with infection clusters 77% 64% 74% 90% 80% 83% 65% 70%
    Increase fines for people found to be breaching the existing restrictions 67% 60% 64% 76% 71% 73% 52% 53%
    Return to restrictions on physical distance, movement and work types nation-wide 63% 55% 62% 72% 67% 67% 55% 53%
    Make downloading the COVIDSafe app mandatory 38% 38% 36% 39% 35% 47% 27% 26%
    Base (n) 1,067 341 341 385 306 418 86 143
    • Three-quarters of participants (77%) support restricting any travel to or from geographic areas with infection clusters, another 67% support increasing fines for people found to be breaching the existing restrictions and 63% support returning to restrictions on physical distance, movement and work types nation-wide.
    • Participants over 55 are more likely to support geographic restrictions around infection clusters (90%), increasing fines (76%) and returning to previous restrictions (72%), than those aged 18-34 (64%, 60% and 55% respectively).
    • Labor and Coalition voters are more in favour of the government implementing these measures (aside from making downloading the COVIDSafe app mandatory), than Greens or other party voters.
    • Participants are polarised in their support of mandatory downloading the COVIDSafe app if new clusters appear (38% support, 38% oppose) – Coalition voters are most likely to support this measure (47%) than all other voters (31%).
  • May, 2020

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    Responsibility for the Ruby Princess

    Q. You may be aware that there is a special commission of inquiry into the docking of the Ruby Princess cruise ship during the Covid-19 outbreak. Many people were involved during the decision-making process, to varying degrees.

    At the end of the day, who do you think is most responsible for the decision to dock the Ruby Princess?

        Gender Age Group
      Total Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+
    New South Wales Health public officials 25% 29% 22% 21% 26% 29%
    The ship’s captain and medical officers 18% 18% 17% 12% 17% 23%
    New South Wales Port Authority 13% 12% 14% 14% 14% 11%
    Border Force officials 13% 14% 12% 14% 15% 10%
    The individual passengers 5% 6% 5% 10% 4% 2%
    No one person or group is to blame 26% 22% 29% 29% 24% 25%
    Base (n) 1,067 532 535 341 341 385

     

      Federal Voting Intention
    Labor Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
    New South Wales Health public officials 26% 27% 22% 25%
    The ship’s captain and medical officers 14% 22% 16% 19%
    New South Wales Port Authority 12% 14% 11% 16%
    Border Force officials 15% 11% 15% 15%
    The individual passengers 4% 6% 8% 4%
    No one person or group is to blame 29% 20% 28% 21%
    Base (n) 306 418 86 143
    • A quarter of participants say no one person or group is most responsible for the decision to dock the Ruby Princess (26%) but an equal amount (25%) say the New South Wales Health public officials are most responsible. One-fifth (18%) believe that the ship’s captain and medical officers are most responsible.
    • Men (29%) and those over 55 years old (29%) are more likely to say New South Wales Health public officials are most responsible, compared to women (22%) and 18-34 (21%).
    • Coalition voters are most likely to say the ship’s captain and medical officers are most responsible (22%) compared to other voters (16%).
  • May, 2020

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    Attitudes towards Temporary Migrants

    Q. Temporary migrants include people on skilled worker visas (which are used to cover jobs where there are skill shortages including engineers, nurses and scientists), most New Zealand citizens living in Australia, and international students.

    To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

      TOTAL: Agree TOTAL: Disagree Strongly agree Somewhat agree Neither agree, nor disagree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Don’t know
    Temporary migrants support the economy by spending their money in Australia 57% 17% 19% 39% 23% 12% 5% 3%
    Businesses should hire Australian citizens where they can, even if they’re not as skilled as candidates who are temporary migrants 54% 21% 26% 28% 22% 13% 8% 3%
    If temporary migrants pay the same taxes as Australian citizens, they should be entitled to the same government support 52% 20% 21% 31% 24% 11% 9% 4%
    It’s realistic to expect temporary residents who lose work in Australia to go back to their home countries 52% 20% 21% 31% 24% 13% 7% 4%
    Without temporary migrants, Australia would face skill shortages 48% 23% 15% 33% 24% 12% 11% 5%
    Australia would be better off if we had fewer temporary migrants 41% 27% 18% 23% 28% 14% 12% 4%

     

    TOTAL: Agree   Employment Status Federal Voting Intention
    Total In paid employment Not in paid employment Retired Labor Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
    Temporary migrants support the economy by spending their money in Australia 57% 60% 51% 64% 59% 62% 56% 50%
    Businesses should hire Australian citizens where they can, even if they’re not as skilled as candidates who are temporary migrants 54% 53% 46% 67% 50% 61% 40% 75%
    If temporary migrants pay the same taxes as Australian citizens, they should be entitled to the same government support 52% 57% 48% 52% 56% 51% 55% 51%
    It’s realistic to expect temporary residents who lose work in Australia to go back to their home countries 52% 52% 44% 63% 51% 59% 32% 65%
    Without temporary migrants, Australia would face skill shortages 48% 51% 47% 48% 48% 57% 45% 34%
    Australia would be better off if we had fewer temporary migrants 41% 43% 31% 52% 41% 46% 22% 57%
    Base (n) 1,067 550 254 212 306 418 86 143
    • More than half of participants agree with any of the statements about temporary migrants – except without temporary migrants, Australia would face skill shortages (48%) and Australia would be better off if we had fewer temporary migrants (41%).
    • Retirees are more likely to agree that businesses should hire Australian citizens where they can, even if they’re not as skilled as candidates who are temporary migrants (67%), Australia would be better off if we had fewer temporary migrants (52%) and it’s realistic to expect temporary residents who lose work in Australia to go back to their home countries (63%) than other participants (51%, 39% and 49% respectively).
    • Similarly other or independent party voters are most likely to agree that businesses should hire Australian citizens where they can, even if they’re not as skilled as candidates who are temporary migrants (75% v 55% all other voters) and Australia would be better off if we had fewer temporary migrants (57% v 41% all other voters).
    • Coalition most likely to agree without temporary migrants, Australia would face skill shortages (57% v 44% all other voters).
    • Greens voters are least likely to agree that businesses should hire Australian citizens where they can, even if they’re not as skilled as candidates who are temporary migrants (40% v 59% all other voters), Australia would be better off if we had fewer temporary migrants (22% v 45% all other voters) and it’s realistic to expect temporary residents who lose work in Australia to go back to their home countries (32% v 57% all other voters).
    • Participants who support Kristina Kenneally’s “Australia first” approach more likely to agree that businesses should hire Australian citizens where they can, even if they’re not as skilled as candidates who are temporary migrants (68%) and Australia would be better off if we had fewer temporary migrants (52%).
  • May, 2020

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    Likelihood of developing Coronavirus

    Q. How likely do you think it is, that you will develop Covid-19?

      04/05 27/04 20/04 13/04 06/04 29/03 22/03 09/03
    Very likely 5% 5% 7% 5% 8% 8% 8% 7%
    Somewhat likely 26% 21% 25% 28% 33% 36% 34% 24%
    Somewhat unlikely 46% 50% 52% 49% 45% 45% 45% 43%
    Very unlikely 23% 23% 17% 18% 14% 12% 13% 26%
    Base (n) 1.093 1,054 1,051 1,068 1,069 1,086 1,034 1,096

     

        Age group Location
      Total 18-34 35-54 55+ Capital Non-Capital
    Very likely 5% 8% 5% 1% 5% 3%
    Somewhat likely 26% 31% 28% 20% 29% 19%
    Somewhat unlikely 46% 38% 43% 57% 43% 54%
    Very unlikely 23% 23% 25% 22% 23% 24%
    Base (n) 1.093 341 372 380 734 359
    • The likelihood of catching Covid-19 has remained steady this week, with 31% saying they are very/somewhat likely to contract the virus (27% last week).
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