The Essential Report Archive Read the latest report

  • Jul, 2021

    ,

    Views towards federal vs state government responsibility to manage Covid-19 hotel quarantine system

    Q. Which of the following statements about Australia’s international borders and the Covid-19 hotel quarantine system for returning travellers is closest to your view?

      05/07 15/02
    It should be the federal government’s responsibility to protect Australia’s international borders and manage the hotel quarantine system 71% 62%
    It should be each state governments’ responsibility to quarantine travellers returning within their borders and the federal government should be left out of this 29% 38%
    Base (n) 1,099 1,109

     

      Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
      Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor TOTAL: Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
    It should be the federal government’s responsibility to protect Australia’s international borders and manage the hotel quarantine system 71% 73% 69% 63% 74% 75% 75% 65% 69% 76%
    It should be each state governments’ responsibility to quarantine travellers returning within their borders and the federal government should be left out of this 29% 27% 31% 37% 26% 25% 25% 35% 31% 24%
    Base (n) 1,099 539 560 341 373 385 404 388 87 114
    • More people think it should be the federal government’s responsibility to protect Australia’s international borders and manage the hotel quarantine system, than those who think it should be each state governments’ responsibility to quarantine travellers returning within their borders (71% to 29%).
    • The expectation that managing quarantine should be a federal government responsibility has increased from 62% in February to 71% this month.
    • The view that quarantine should be a federal rather than state government responsibility is held by the majority of both men and women, all age groups and voting intentions.
  • Jul, 2021

    , ,

    Speed of NSW lockdown

    Q. Overall, do you think NSW moved too quickly, too slowly or at about the right speed in terms of enforcing lockdown restrictions?

    [ASKED TO RESPONDENTS IN NSW ONLY]

      Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
      Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor TOTAL: Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
    Moved too quickly 10% 9% 11% 14% 9% 7% 9% 8% 9% 21%
    About the right speed 51% 50% 51% 51% 50% 51% 41% 62% 49% 44%
    Moved too slowly 39% 41% 38% 35% 41% 41% 50% 30% 43% 35%
    Base (n) 553 268 285 147 203 203 182 226 41 44
    • Half of NSW residents think the state government imposed Covid-19 lockdowns at the right speed (51%), 39% think the decision was too slow and 10% think it was made too quickly.
    • Coalition voters are most likely to think the government acted at the right speed (62%), while Labor and Greens voters are most likely to say it was too slow (50% and 43%).
  • Jul, 2021

    ,

    Time for Covid-19 milestones to occur for NSW

    Q. How long do you think it will take for the following to occur in NSW?

    [ASKED TO RESPONDENTS IN NSW ONLY]

    Two weeks up to one month One month up to six months Seven months up to one year One to two years More than two years Never
    The Covid-19 outbreak in NSW is controlled 50% 18% 7% 10% 7% 7%
    The lockdown in Greater Sydney is lifted 76% 13% 5% 3% 2% 2%
    The lockdown in other affected areas in NSW is lifted (e.g. Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour) 77% 11% 4% 3% 2% 2%
    Interstate travel will be allowed without restriction 38% 26% 12% 11% 8% 5%
    Quarantine will no longer be required after interstate travel 32% 20% 13% 15% 12% 7%
    The Covid-19 vaccine rollout will be completed in NSW 14% 14% 28% 24% 12% 8%

     

    • Most participants in NSW expect the lockdown restriction to be eased in the next month (76% in Sydney and 77% in other areas of NSW).
    • Most think interstate travel will be allowed either within the next month (38%) or within 6 months (26%). A similar proportion also think there will be no quarantine requirements after this time (32% within the month, 20% within 6 months).
    • 28% think the vaccine rollout will not be completed in under a year, 24% think it will take 1-2 years and 12% think it will take over 2 years.
  • Jul, 2021

    ,

    Effect of Covid-19 lockdowns on adults and children

    Q. Thinking about Covid-19 lockdowns across Australia, to what extent are you concerned about the effect of these lockdowns on the following?

    TOTAL: Concerned TOTAL:

    Not concerned

    		 Very concerned Moderately concerned Not that concerned Not concerned at all Base (n)
    My mental wellbeing 50% 50% 19% 31% 28% 21% 1,099
    My personal relationships 39% 61% 15% 25% 32% 28% 1,099
    My work-life balance

    [ASKED ONLY TO THOSE STILL IN PAID WORK SINCE COVID-19]

    		49% 51% 18% 31% 34% 17% 507
    My child(ren)’s mental wellbeing

    [ASKED ONLY TO THOSE WHO HAVE DEPENDENT CHILDREN]

    		 59% 41% 27% 33% 23% 17% 433
    My child(ren) developing behavioural issues

    [ASKED ONLY TO THOSE WHO HAVE DEPENDENT CHILDREN]

    		 49% 51% 21% 29% 27% 23% 433
    My child(ren) falling behind in their learning at school

    [ASKED ONLY TO THOSE WHO HAVE DEPENDENT CHILDREN]

    		 55% 45% 23% 32% 22% 23% 433
    • Half of people say the Covid-19 lockdowns are giving them concern for their mental health (50% either very, or moderately concerned). There is less concern for the effect on personal relationships (39% concerned).
    • Of those in paid employment, 49% say they are concerned that the Covid-19 lockdowns are impacting their work-life balance.
    • Among those with dependent children in the household, 59% say they are concerned for the mental wellbeing of their children, 55% are concerned their children are falling behind at school, and 49% are concerned about their children developing behavioural issues.
  • Jul, 2021

    ,

    Economic expectations post Covid-19

    Q. Which of the following is closer to your expectations of what will happen to the economy following the Covid-19 situation?

      Jul’21 Dec’20 Apr’20
    The economy will rebound within 2-3 months and grow just as strong or stronger than before Covid-19 19% 18% 13%
    The economy will be impacted for 6-12 months or longer and will stagnate or show slow growth thereafter 41% 43% 49%
    Covid-19 will have long lasting impact on the economy and the country will fall into a lengthy recession 26% 22% 28%
    Unsure 13% 17% 10%
    Base (n) 1,099 1,071 1,054

     

      Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
      Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor TOTAL: Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
    The economy will rebound within 2-3 months and grow just as strong or stronger than before Covid-19 19% 23% 15% 17% 18% 22% 14% 29% 16% 15%
    The economy will be impacted for 6-12 months or longer and will stagnate or show slow growth thereafter 41% 45% 38% 44% 39% 42% 45% 44% 45% 25%
    Covid-19 will have long lasting impact on the economy and the country will fall into a lengthy recession 26% 23% 29% 26% 29% 24% 29% 17% 31% 49%
    Unsure 13% 9% 17% 13% 14% 12% 12% 10% 8% 11%
    Base (n) 1,099 539 560 341 373 385 404 388 87 114
    • Most people expect the economy to recover in 6-12 months following the impact of Covid-19 (41%), with a further 19% thinking it will recover in the next 2-3 months.
    • Expectations of a quick recovery in the next 2-3 months is highest among men (23%), older people aged over 55 (22%) and Coalition voters (29%).
    • There has been an increase in the proportion of people expecting a lengthy recession following the pandemic. 26% now expect this scenario, up from 22% last December.
  • Jun, 2021

    , ,

    Views towards Victorian Covid-19 outbreaks and the hotel quarantine system

    Q. Which of the following statements about the Covid-19 outbreaks in Victoria and the hotel quarantine system is closest to your view?

      Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
      Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor TOTAL: Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
    The Covid-19 outbreaks in Victoria are due to mistakes in the local handling of hotel quarantine and returning travellers 41% 43% 39% 45% 39% 39% 31% 49% 37% 48%
    The Covid-19 outbreaks in Victoria are due to the fact that hotels are not designed as quarantine facilities and are not suitable as a long-term solution for quarantining returning travellers 59% 57% 61% 55% 61% 61% 69% 51% 63% 52%
    Base (n) 1,087 527 560 328 374 385 378 407 98 102
    • 59% of Australians think the Covid-19 outbreaks in Victoria are due to the fact that hotels are not designed as quarantine facilities and are not suitable as a long-term solution for quarantining returning travellers. Labor voters and Greens voters are most likely to hold this view (69% and 63% respectively).
    • 41% think the Covid-19 outbreaks in Victoria are due to mistakes in the local handling of hotel quarantine and returning travellers. Coalition and minor or independent party voters are most likely to think this (49% and 48% respectively).
  • Jun, 2021

    , ,

    Preferred long-term approach to Australia’s quarantine system

    Q. Which of the following do you think should be Australia’s long-term approach to safely quarantining international travellers?

      Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
      Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor TOTAL: Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
    Hotel quarantine 9% 9% 8% 14% 9% 5% 7% 12% 9% 6%
    Purpose-built quarantine facilities 65% 60% 71% 49% 64% 80% 75% 64% 57% 62%
    Home quarantine 16% 21% 11% 22% 16% 10% 12% 16% 23% 19%
    Unsure 10% 10% 10% 15% 11% 5% 6% 8% 11% 13%
    Base (n) 1,087 527 560 328 374 385 378 407 98 102
    • The majority (65%) of Australians think purpose-built quarantine facilities should be Australia’s long-term approach to safely quarantining international travellers. While this is the majority view across all demographics measured, women (71%), those aged over 55 (80%), and Labor voters (75%) are the most likely to think purpose-built quarantine facilities are the way forward.
    • Only 9% think hotel quarantine should be the long-term solution. 16% think home quarantine is the best approach, and 10% are unsure.
  • Jun, 2021

    ,

    Federal government response to Covid-19

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

      07/06 24/05 12/04 15/03 01/03 15/02 01/02 30/11 16/11 02/11 05/10 21/09 07/09
    Very poor 10% 6% 7% 5% 6% 5% 4% 6% 5% 5% 5% 5% 8%
    Quite poor 14% 12% 10% 7% 8% 7% 11% 8% 9% 10% 12% 13% 12%
    Neither good nor poor 22% 25% 21% 18% 24% 19% 19% 19% 18% 24% 22% 21% 22%
    Quite good 38% 40% 40% 39% 39% 42% 42% 41% 41% 39% 39% 40% 40%
    Very good 15% 18% 22% 31% 23% 27% 25% 26% 26% 22% 21% 21% 18%
    TOTAL: Poor 24% 18% 17% 12% 14% 12% 14% 13% 15% 15% 18% 18% 19%
    TOTAL: Good 53% 58% 62% 70% 62% 69% 67% 67% 67% 61% 60% 61% 59%
    Base (n) 1,104 1,100 1,368 1,124 1,074 1,109 1,092 1,034 1,010 1,063 1,066 1,081 1,076

     

    TOTAL: Good 07/06 24/05 12/04 15/03 01/03
    NSW 62% 56% 66% 69% 64%
    VIC 42% 57% 55% 65% 51%
    QLD 54% 56% 63% 69% 66%
    SA 58% 66% 62% 78% 68%
    WA 49% 56% 65% 75% 66%
    • Since peaking at 70% in March, positive rating of the federal government’s handling of Covid-19 has dropped off; falling to 53% this month which is the lowest rating seen since March last year when this question was first asked.
    • Positive rating of the federal government’s handling of Covid-19 has decreased in all states since last month, however it has fallen the most steeply in Victoria where it is now 42% (down 15 percentage points from 57% in May); disapproval of the federal government’s handling of Covid-19 has increased to 36% (from 22% last month) among Victorians.
Error: