Essential Report
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?
| Nov’20 | Jan’20 | Dec’19 | Sep’18 | |
| Strongly support | 45% | 49% | 42% | 46% |
| Support | 36% | 31% | 33% | 36% |
| Oppose | 5% | 5% | 7% | 4% |
| Strongly oppose | 1% | 2% | 2% | 1% |
| Unsure | 13% | 13% | 17% | 14% |
| TOTAL: Support | 81% | 80% | 75% | 82% |
| TOTAL: Oppose | 6% | 7% | 8% | 5% |
| Base (n) | 1,063 | 1,080 | 1,035 | 1,030 |
| Total | Federal Voting Intention | ||||
| Labor | Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
| Strongly support | 45% | 50% | 42% | 49% | 51% |
| Support | 36% | 32% | 46% | 28% | 27% |
| Oppose | 5% | 4% | 5% | 7% | 4% |
| Strongly oppose | 1% | 1% | 1% | 0% | 5% |
| Unsure | 13% | 12% | 6% | 16% | 14% |
| TOTAL: Support | 81% | 82% | 88% | 77% | 78% |
| TOTAL: Oppose | 6% | 6% | 6% | 7% | 9% |
| Base (n) | 1,063 | 352 | 431 | 85 | 100 |
- There is strong support for the establishment of an independent federal corruption body, 81% supporting this and just 6% opposing.
- Support is consistent with earlier in the year, when 80% supported a federal ICAC.
- There is majority support within voters of both major parties, 82% among Labor voters and 88% among Coalition.
Federal ICAC Timing
Q. Which of the following is closer to your view on Australia establishing an independent federal corruption body at this time?
| Total | Federal Voting Intention | ||||
| Labor | Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||
| Now is not the time to set up a corruption watchdog as Australia needs to deal with the pandemic first. | 40% | 37% | 43% | 30% | 41% |
| The amounts of money being spent by the government during the pandemic makes it more necessary that a corruption watchdog is set up right now. | 60% | 63% | 57% | 70% | 59% |
| Base (n) | 1,063 | 352 | 431 | 85 | 100 |
- Most people think the establishment of a federal ICAC is needed now, with 60% saying “The amounts of money being spent by the government during the pandemic makes it more necessary that a corruption watchdog is set up right now”, with the remaining 40% believing “Now is not the time to set up a corruption watchdog as Australia needs to deal with the pandemic first.”
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
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