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  • Sep, 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?

    TOTAL: Good 07/09 24/08 10/08 27/07 13/07 22/06 15/06 08/06 01/06 25/05 18/05
    NSW 57% 59% 61% 62% 63% 70% 65% 67% 62% 65% 70%
    VIC 50% 47% 49% 53% 49% 65% 75% 72% 71% 73% 71%
    QLD 66% 73% 68% 67% 69% 64% 67% 68% 69% 74% 66%
    SA 74% 65% 72% 76% 79% 79% 76% 79% 70% 84% 80%
    WA 87% 84% 86% 82% 77% 75% 77% 84% 79% 83% 86%
    • Positive rating of the NSW Government’s continues to slide, with another -2%pts movement this week to 57%. This is down from a high of 70% in June.
    • Positive rating of the Victorian Government remains steady at 50%, though the majority of this survey was completed before the announcement of the lock-down extension in Victoria on Sunday 6th
    • Positive rating of the Queensland state government’s handing dropped to 66% this week from 73% a fortnight ago.
  • Sep, 2020

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    Expected restriction levels

    Q. In response to the Covid-19 outbreak, what do you expect will happen to the restriction levels in your local area over the next two months?

      07/09 24/08
     
    I expect restrictions will become tighter 15% 39%
    I expect no change to the restrictions 43% 39%
    I expect restrictions will have eased 42% 22%
    Base (n) 1,076 1,058

     

        State
      Total NSW VIC QLD SA WA
    I expect restrictions will become tighter 15% 19% 9% 20% 10% 9%
    I expect no change to the restrictions 43% 46% 31% 48% 42% 53%
    I expect restrictions will have eased 42% 35% 60% 32% 48% 38%
    Base (n) 1,076 352 275 215 88 99
    • A general expectation of an easing of restrictions in the next two months suggests Australians feel the worst effects of the Covid-19 pandemic have passed. Just 15% think tighter restrictions will be required in the next two months and 42% expect an easing of restrictions.
    • The expectation of easing restrictions is highest in Victoria (60%), as this state currently has the strictest requirements. The majority of this survey was completed before the announcement of the lock-down extension in Victoria on Sunday 6th
  • 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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    Coronavirus concerns

    Q. To what extent are you concerned about the threat of Covid-19 (coronavirus) in Australia?

      07/09 24/08 10/08 27/07 13/07 22/06 15/06 08/06 01/06 25/05 18/05
    Very concerned 37% 40% 50% 43% 36% 25% 28% 27% 32% 30% 33%
    Quite concerned 45% 46% 40% 44% 48% 50% 45% 48% 49% 49% 47%
    Not that concerned 13% 10% 7% 9% 12% 21% 23% 21% 15% 16% 16%
    Not at all concerned 5% 4% 3% 4% 3% 4% 4% 5% 4% 5% 4%
    Base (n) 1,076 1,068 1,010 1,058 1,054 1,079 1,087 1,073 1,059 1,087 1,073
    • Concern about Covid-19 has eased this week with 37% very concerned about the threat (down from 50% in early August).
  • Sep, 2020

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    State and Federal Government Working Together

    Q. How well do you think your State or Territory government and the Federal government are working together on issues to address the Covid-19 pandemic?

      Total   State
      NSW VIC QLD SA WA
    Very well 17% 21% 8% 15% 19% 24%
    Quite well 46% 46% 49% 48% 47% 40%
    Quite poorly 22% 19% 28% 19% 21% 23%
    Very poorly 8% 8% 10% 10% 6% 3%
    Unsure 6% 7% 5% 7% 7% 8%
    TOTAL: Well 64% 66% 57% 64% 66% 65%
    TOTAL: Poorly 30% 27% 38% 29% 27% 27%
    Base (n) 1,076 352 275 215 88 99
    • People believe that more could be done between the Federal and State governments to address the Covid-19 pandemic. Less than a fifth of people (17%) think the Federal government and their state government are working together very well. While 46% say they are working together quite well, 30% rate the working relationship as poor.
    • The Federal and Victorian governments are seen to have the worst relationship, with 57% of Victorians saying the Federal government is working well with their state government, but just 8% believe they are working very well together.
  • Aug, 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?

    TOTAL: Good 24/08 10/08 27/07 13/07 22/06 15/06 08/06 01/06 25/05 18/05 11/05
    NSW 59% 61% 62% 63% 70% 65% 67% 62% 65% 70% 70%
    VIC 47% 49% 53% 49% 65% 75% 72% 71% 73% 71% 71%
    QLD 73% 68% 67% 69% 64% 67% 68% 69% 74% 66% 70%
    SA 65% 72% 76% 79% 79% 76% 79% 70% 84% 80% 78%
    WA 84% 86% 82% 77% 75% 77% 84% 79% 83% 86% 83%

     

    • Positive rating of the NSW Government’s handling of the crisis moved -2%pts this week to 59%, this is down from a peak of 70% in June.
    • Positive rating of the Victorian Government also moved -2%pts this week (to 47%). This is consistent with ratings since the outbreak in Victoria in July.
    • Western Australia (84%) have the highest state government ratings for handling the crisis.
    VICTORIA ONLY 24/08 10/08 27/07 13/07 22/06 15/06 08/06 01/06 25/05 18/05 11/05
    Very poor 15% 16% 13% 14% 8% 6% 6% 4% 3% 3% 4%
    Quite poor 20% 14% 17% 12% 5% 5% 6% 7% 9% 10% 11%
    Neither good, nor poor 17% 21% 17% 25% 22% 13% 16% 17% 16% 15% 15%
    Quite good 29% 28% 34% 32% 38% 39% 38% 39% 37% 38% 34%
    Very good 18% 21% 19% 17% 26% 36% 34% 33% 36% 33% 37%
    TOTAL: Poor 36% 30% 30% 26% 13% 11% 12% 11% 11% 14% 14%
    TOTAL: Good 47% 49% 53% 49% 65% 75% 72% 71% 73% 71% 71%
    Base (n) 275 499 239 281 261 275 275 275 275 267 275

  • 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%).
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