Essential Report
Download this week's Report
Government response to Covid-19
Q. Overall, how would you rate the Government’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak?
| 24/08 | 10/08 | 27/07 | 13/07 | 22/06 | 15/06 | 08/06 | 01/06 | 25/05 | 18/05 | 11/05 | |
| Very poor | 6% | 7% | 6% | 6% | 4% | 3% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 3% | 4% |
| Quite poor | 11% | 8% | 11% | 10% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 7% | 6% | 7% | 9% |
| Neither good, nor poor | 22% | 21% | 20% | 20% | 17% | 16% | 18% | 20% | 16% | 17% | 16% |
| Quite good | 40% | 40% | 40% | 40% | 43% | 42% | 40% | 39% | 43% | 41% | 39% |
| Very good | 22% | 24% | 24% | 24% | 27% | 30% | 30% | 28% | 30% | 32% | 32% |
| TOTAL: Poor | 17% | 16% | 16% | 16% | 12% | 11% | 12% | 12% | 11% | 11% | 13% |
| TOTAL: Good | 61% | 63% | 64% | 64% | 71% | 72% | 70% | 68% | 73% | 73% | 71% |
| Base (n) | 1,068 | 1,010 | 1,058 | 1,054 | 1,079 | 1,087 | 1,073 | 1,059 | 1,087 | 1,073 | 1,067 |
- Participants’ rating of the Federal Government’s handling of the crisis slips again this week, with 61% rating their response as very or quite good. This is progressively down from 72% positive rating in June.
- Men are more likely than women to rate the Government’s performance as very poor or quite poor (21% to 13%).
- Rating of the Government among Labor supporters has fallen from 69% rating their handling very or quite good in May to 55% this week. Positive rating among Coalition supporters remains high at 77%
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 |
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%).
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 | 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% | 14% | 38% | 39% | 11% | 3% | 9% |
| Hygiene and care standards in private care homes are poor which has contributed to the spread of Covid-19 | 71% | 17% | 32% | 39% | 13% | 4% | 12% |
| Covid-19 has entered and spread through aged care facilities because of community transmission from friends and families of residents | 67% | 19% | 24% | 42% | 13% | 6% | 14% |
| The impact of Covid-19 in aged care facilities has been worsened by long-term underfunding of the aged care sector | 70% | 18% | 34% | 26% | 14% | 4% | 12% |
| 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% | 77% | 69% | 78% | 83% | 82% | 79% | 79% | 73% |
| Hygiene and care standards in private care homes are poor which has contributed to the spread of Covid-19 | 71% | 73% | 69% | 62% | 70% | 78% | 74% | 74% | 63% | 73% |
| Covid-19 has entered and spread through aged care facilities because of community transmission from friends and families of residents | 67% | 72% | 62% | 69% | 72% | 61% | 68% | 73% | 68% | 58% |
| The impact of Covid-19 in aged care facilities has been worsened by long-term underfunding of the aged care sector | 70% | 70% | 70% | 69% | 71% | 70% | 77% | 68% | 85% | 67% |
| Base (n) | 1,068 | 513 | 555 | 317 | 370 | 381 | 313 | 447 | 96 | 118 |
- There is acknowledgement in the community of a range of factors that have contributed to the spread of Covid-19 within aged care facilities. 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.
- Similar numbers also agree that the hygiene and care standards in private care homes has contributed to the spread of (71%) and that community transmission from friends and families of residents has also contributed to the spread (67%).
Support for Measures to Limit Covid-19 Outbreak
Q. To what extent would you support or oppose the following measures to limit the spread of Covid-19 in the community?
| TOTAL: SUPPORT | TOTAL: OPPOSE | Strongly support | Somewhat support | Neither support nor oppose | Somewhat oppose | Strongly oppose | |
| All aged care facility residents who are diagnosed with Covid-19 are automatically transferred to a public hospital | 63% | 17% | 35% | 28% | 20% | 10% | 7% |
| Any person diagnosed with Covid-19 is required to quarantine in a dedicated facility and not isolate from home | 52% | 23% | 27% | 24% | 25% | 14% | 9% |
| The closure of international borders to all foreign travellers and returning Australian citizens | 65% | 18% | 39% | 26% | 17% | 10% | 8% |
| Any person diagnosed with Covid-19 must wear a tracking bracelet while self-isolating to ensure they don’t leave their homes | 60% | 20% | 31% | 29% | 20% | 11% | 10% |
| Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||
| TOTAL: SUPPORT | Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | Liberal + National | Greens | TOTAL: Other | |
| All aged care facility residents who are diagnosed with Covid-19 are automatically transferred to a public hospital | 63% | 63% | 63% | 49% | 62% | 78% | 65% | 67% | 60% | 57% |
| Any person diagnosed with Covid-19 is required to quarantine in a dedicated facility and not isolate from home | 52% | 52% | 52% | 44% | 51% | 60% | 55% | 53% | 47% | 43% |
| The closure of international borders to all foreign travellers and returning Australian citizens | 65% | 63% | 68% | 51% | 65% | 78% | 68% | 69% | 56% | 61% |
| Any person diagnosed with Covid-19 must wear a tracking bracelet while self-isolating to ensure they don’t leave their homes | 60% | 60% | 60% | 45% | 61% | 71% | 63% | 62% | 47% | 59% |
| Base (n) | 1,068 | 513 | 555 | 317 | 370 | 381 | 313 | 447 | 96 | 118 |
- Around two-thirds of people support the closure of international borders to all foreign travellers and returning Australian citizens (65%), with similar numbers also supporting the transfer to a public hospital of all aged care facility residents who are diagnosed with Covid-19 (63%) and the compulsory wearing of a tracking bracelet during self-isolation for people diagnosed with Covi-19 (60%).
- Just over half of people support the requirement for any person diagnosed with Covid-19 is required to quarantine in a dedicated facility and not isolate from home (52%). Support for this proposition is lowest among those aged 18-34 (44%) and Greens voters (47%).
Coronavirus concerns
Q. To what extent are you concerned about the threat of Covid-19 (coronavirus) in Australia?
| 24/08 | 10/08 | 27/07 | 13/07 | 22/06 | 15/06 | 08/06 | 01/06 | 25/05 | 18/05 | 11/05 | |
| Very concerned | 40% | 50% | 43% | 36% | 25% | 28% | 27% | 32% | 30% | 33% | 34% |
| Quite concerned | 46% | 40% | 44% | 48% | 50% | 45% | 48% | 49% | 49% | 47% | 49% |
| Not that concerned | 10% | 7% | 9% | 12% | 21% | 23% | 21% | 15% | 16% | 16% | 14% |
| Not at all concerned | 4% | 3% | 4% | 3% | 4% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 3% |
| Base (n) | 1,068 | 1,010 | 1,058 | 1,054 | 1,079 | 1,087 | 1,073 | 1,059 | 1,087 | 1,073 | 1,067 |
- Concern about Covid-19 has eased this week with 40% very concerned about the threat (down from 50% earlier in the month).
Government response to Covid-19
Q. Overall, how would you rate the Government’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak?
| 10/08 | 27/07 | 13/07 | 22/06 | 15/06 | 08/06 | 01/06 | 25/05 | 18/05 | 11/05 | 04/05 | |
| Very poor | 7% | 6% | 6% | 4% | 3% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 3% | 4% | 4% |
| Quite poor | 8% | 11% | 10% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 7% | 6% | 7% | 9% | 9% |
| Neither good, nor poor | 21% | 20% | 20% | 17% | 16% | 18% | 20% | 16% | 17% | 16% | 20% |
| Quite good | 40% | 40% | 40% | 43% | 42% | 40% | 39% | 43% | 41% | 39% | 38% |
| Very good | 24% | 24% | 24% | 27% | 30% | 30% | 28% | 30% | 32% | 32% | 28% |
| TOTAL: Poor | 16% | 16% | 16% | 12% | 11% | 12% | 12% | 11% | 11% | 13% | 14% |
| TOTAL: Good | 63% | 64% | 64% | 71% | 72% | 70% | 68% | 73% | 73% | 71% | 66% |
| Base (n) | 1,010 | 1,058 | 1,054 | 1,079 | 1,087 | 1,073 | 1,059 | 1,087 | 1,073 | 1,067 | 1,093 |
Participants’ rating of the Federal Government’s handling of the crisis remains stable with 63% rating their response as very or quite good.
State Government response to Covid-19
Q. How would you rate your state government’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak?
| TOTAL: Very/Quite good | 10/08 | 27/07 | 13/07 | 22/06 | 15/06 | 08/06 | 01/06 | 25/05 | 18/05 | 11/05 | 04/05 |
| New South Wales | 61% | 62% | 63% | 70% | 65% | 67% | 62% | 65% | 70% | 70% | 68% |
| Victoria | 49% | 53% | 49% | 67% | 75% | 72% | 71% | 73% | 71% | 71% | 72% |
| Queensland | 68% | 67% | 69% | 64% | 67% | 68% | 69% | 74% | 66% | 70% | 65% |
- Since the start of the outbreak in Victoria last month, the Victorian state government rating has been the lowest of the three most populous states with around half (49% this week) saying the Victorian Government is doing a Very good, or quite good job responding to Covid-19.
- New South Wales has also seen a decrease in rating, moving from 70% in June to 61% this week.
COVID-19 RESEARCH
Read Essential's ongoing research on the public response to Covid-19.
Download this week's ReportEssential Report
Two Party Preferred:
Labor
45%
Coalition
48%
In this week's report:
Essential Tags
2PP
Abbott
ALP
Approval of opposition leader
Approval of Tony Abbott
asylum seekers
Australian economy
Bill Shorten
budget
Carbon Tax
climate change
coronavirus
covid-19
economy
Education
Election
EMC
environment
ER
Essential Media
Essential Report
Federal Budget
Federal Government
federal politics
federal politics voting intention
Gillard
Greens
Julia Gillard
kevin rudd
Labor
Labor Party
Liberal
Liberal Party
Liberals
media
mining
Nationals
peter lewis
Polling
polls
Prime Minister
tony abbott
two party preferred
voting
Voting intention
Recent Comments
