Support for Federal ICAC
Q. To what extent would you support or oppose the establishment of an independent federal anti-corruption body to monitor the behaviour of our politicians and public servants?
| Q | Oct’21 | Nov’20 | Jan’20 | Dec’19 | Sep’18 |
| Strongly support | 46% | 45% | 49% | 42% | 46% |
| Somewhat support | 32% | 36% | 31% | 33% | 36% |
| Somewhat oppose | 8% | 5% | 5% | 7% | 4% |
| Strongly oppose | 3% | 1% | 2% | 2% | 1% |
| Unsure | 11% | 13% | 13% | 17% | 14% |
| TOTAL: Support | 78% | 81% | 80% | 75% | 82% |
| TOTAL: Oppose | 11% | 6% | 7% | 8% | 5% |
| Base (n) | 1,097 | 1,063 | 1,080 | 1,035 | 1,030 |
| Q | Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | ||||||
| Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
| Strongly support | 46% | 49% | 43% | 38% | 46% | 52% | 52% | 40% | 54% | 51% |
| Somewhat support | 32% | 30% | 35% | 34% | 32% | 31% | 31% | 37% | 24% | 28% |
| Somewhat oppose | 8% | 10% | 6% | 12% | 8% | 5% | 6% | 10% | 8% | 7% |
| Strongly oppose | 3% | 4% | 2% | 4% | 4% | 2% | 3% | 2% | 2% | 6% |
| Unsure | 11% | 7% | 15% | 12% | 11% | 10% | 8% | 10% | 13% | 8% |
| TOTAL: Support | 78% | 79% | 77% | 72% | 78% | 83% | 84% | 77% | 78% | 79% |
| TOTAL: Oppose | 11% | 14% | 8% | 16% | 11% | 7% | 9% | 13% | 9% | 13% |
| Base (n) | 1,097 | 540 | 557 | 342 | 366 | 389 | 362 | 414 | 94 | 138 |
- Support for the establishment of a federal ICAC remains high at 78%, with 46% strongly supporting this. This is consistent with previous years.
- A large majority of all demographics would support a federal ICAC.
- There is strongest support among those aged over 55 (52% strongly support, Labor voters (52%) and Greens voters (54%). Coalition voters were most likely to oppose a federal ICAC (13%).
Resignation of Berejiklian and need for ICAC
Q. Thinking about Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation as NSW Premier, 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 | ||
| Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation as NSW Premier makes me more supportive of an independent federal anti-corruption body | 47% | 54% | 40% | 46% | 44% | 50% | 59% | 41% | 56% | 46% |
| Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation as NSW Premier makes me less supportive of an independent federal anti-corruption body | 21% | 21% | 21% | 25% | 21% | 18% | 16% | 31% | 14% | 26% |
| Unsure | 32% | 25% | 39% | 29% | 35% | 32% | 25% | 28% | 30% | 28% |
| Base (n) | 1,097 | 540 | 557 | 342 | 366 | 389 | 362 | 414 | 94 | 138 |
- Overall, the resignation of Gladys Berejiklian has strengthened the support for a federal ICAC. 47% say they are now more supportive, with 21% less supportive and 32% unsure.
| Total | State | ||
| NSW | All other states | ||
| Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation as NSW Premier makes me more supportive of an independent federal anti-corruption body | 47% | 48% | 45% |
| Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation as NSW Premier makes me less supportive of an independent federal anti-corruption body | 21% | 29% | 16% |
| Unsure | 32% | 23% | 38% |
| Base (n) | 1,097 | 352 | 691 |
- While greater support for a federal ICAC due to Berejiklian’s resignation is consistent between NSW and other states (48% to 45%), opposition is higher in NSW (29% to 16%).
Federal ICAC
Q. To what extent would you support or oppose the establishment of an independent federal corruption body to monitor the behaviour of our politicians and public servants?
| Jan’20 | Dec’19 | Sep’18 | |
| Strongly support | 49% | 42% | 46% |
| Support | 31% | 33% | 36% |
| Oppose | 5% | 7% | 4% |
| Strongly oppose | 2% | 2% | 1% |
| Unsure | 13% | 17% | 14% |
| NET: Support | 80% | 75% | 82% |
| NET: Oppose | 7% | 8% | 5% |
| Base (n) | 1,080 | 1,035 | 1,030 |
| Total | Voting Intention | ||||
| Labor | Coalition | Greens | NET: Other | ||
| Strongly support | 49% | 56% | 42% | 53% | 56% |
| Support | 31% | 29% | 38% | 28% | 20% |
| Oppose | 5% | 4% | 6% | 3% | 6% |
| Strongly oppose | 2% | 1% | 3% | 2% | 5% |
| Unsure | 13% | 9% | 11% | 14% | 13% |
| NET: Support | 80% | 86% | 80% | 81% | 76% |
| NET: Oppose | 7% | 5% | 9% | 5% | 11% |
| Base (n) | 1,080 | 351 | 342 | 110 | 156 |
- 80% of participants support the establishment of an independent federal corruption body to monitor the behaviour of our politicians and public servants.
- Support is higher than late last year when the same question was asked in conjunction with the conduct of Angus Taylor and the use of inflated figures that Mr Taylor’s office used to attack the travel record of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore (75% in Dec’19).
Ministerial Conduct
Q. Over the past few weeks the Opposition has been raising concern about the conduct of Deputy Nationals leader Bridget McKenzie.
It is claimed she allocated $100million to sporting organisations in marginal seats to favour the Coalition in the 2019 Federal election.
Which of the following best describes your perspective on the issue?
| Jan’20 | Dec’19
Following Angus Taylor and Sydney Lord Mayor |
|
| The Prime Minister should have stood the Minister down from Cabinet | 51% | 35% |
| The Prime Minster was right not to stand the Minister down from Cabinet | 15% | 17% |
| I have not been following the issue | 34% | 48% |
| Base (n) | 1,080 | 1,035 |
| Total | Federal Voting Intention | ||||
| Labor | Coalition | Greens | NET: Other | ||
| The Prime Minister should have stood the Minister down from Cabinet | 51% | 67% | 41% | 51% | 51% |
| The Prime Minster was right not to stand the Minister down from Cabinet | 15% | 7% | 27% | 10% | 15% |
| I have not been following the issue | 34% | 27% | 32% | 40% | 34% |
| Base (n) | 1,080 | 351 | 342 | 110 | 156 |
- One-third (34%) of participants have not been following the issue of Bridget McKenzie and the allocation of Sports grants.
- Half of participants believe the Prime Minister should have stood the Minister down from cabinet over the issue (51%), while just 15% believe Scott Morrison was correct to support his colleague.
- Coalition voters are least likely to say that the PM should have stood the Minister down (41%).
Federal ICAC
Q. To what extent would you support or oppose the establishment of an independent federal corruption body to monitor the behaviour of our politicians and public servants?
| Total | Voting Intention | Sep’18 | ||||
| Labor | Coalition | Greens | NET: Other | |||
| Strongly support | 42% | 49% | 48% | 37% | 51% | 46% |
| Support | 33% | 35% | 28% | 45% | 30% | 36% |
| Oppose | 7% | 7% | 8% | 6% | 5% | 4% |
| Strongly oppose | 2% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 3% | 1% |
| Unsure | 17% | 8% | 15% | 10% | 12% | 14% |
| NET: Support | 75% | 84% | 76% | 82% | 80% | 82% |
| NET: Oppose | 8% | 8% | 10% | 8% | 8% | 5% |
| Base (n) | 1,035 | 339 | 356 | 106 | 116 | 1,030 |
- 75% of participants support the establishment of an independent federal corruption body to monitor the behaviour of our politicians and public servants – this is lower than Sep’18, when 82% supported of an independent body.
Corruption in industries and organisations
Q. For each of the following Australian industries and organisations, please indicate how affected by corruption you think they are:
| Widespread corruption | Some corruption | Very little corruption | Don’t know | |
| Government | 39% | 39% | 10% | 12% |
| Building and construction | 34% | 38% | 11% | 17% |
| Media | 27% | 44% | 12% | 16% |
| Finance sector (banks and insurance) | 27% | 42% | 14% | 17% |
| Mining | 25% | 43% | 15% | 18% |
| Law enforcement (police) | 17% | 49% | 19% | 15% |
| Health | 10% | 32% | 38% | 20% |
| Agriculture | 7% | 28% | 41% | 24% |
| Education | 6% | 29% | 43% | 21% |
| Science and technology | 6% | 22% | 47% | 24% |
The most corrupt industries and organisations were thought to be Government (39% widespread corruption), building and construction (34%), media (27%), finance (27%) and mining (25%).
The least corrupt were thought to be science and technology (47% very little corruption), education (43%) and agriculture (41%).
Awareness of Craig Thomson Issue
Q. There have recently been allegations of corrupt behaviour by Craig Thomson, a Federal Labor politician. How much have you read or heard about this issue?
|
Total |
Vote Labor |
Vote Lib/Nat |
Vote Greens |
|
| A lot |
29% |
23% |
39% |
16% |
| Some |
30% |
35% |
31% |
32% |
| A little |
28% |
26% |
24% |
43% |
| Nothing |
9% |
13% |
5% |
8% |
| Don’t know |
4% |
3% |
2% |
1% |
29% said they have heard or read a lot about the Craig Thomson issue and 30% have heard or read some.
Those who had read or heard most were men (66% a lot/some) and aged 45+ (71%).
COVID-19 RESEARCH
Read Essential's ongoing research on the public response to Covid-19.
Essential Report
In this week's report:
- Performance of Scott Morrison
- Performance of Anthony Albanese
- Preferred Prime Minister
- Views towards re-electing the federal Coalition government
- Party trust to handle issues
- Importance of Australia’s international reputation
- Scott Morrison’s impact on Australia’s international reputation
- Views towards Australia’s international reputation
Sign up for updates
Receive the Essential Report in your inbox.Essential Tags
Recent Comments
