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
Sign up for updates
Receive the Essential Report in your inbox.Essential Tags
2PP
Abbott
ALP
Anthony Albanese
Approval of opposition leader
Approval of Tony Abbott
asylum seekers
Australian economy
Bill Shorten
Carbon Tax
climate change
coronavirus
covid-19
economy
Education
Election
EMC
environment
ER
Essential Media
Essential Report
Federal Budget
Federal Government
federal politics
Gillard
Greens
Julia Gillard
kevin rudd
Labor
Labor Party
Liberal
Liberal Party
Liberals
mining
Nationals
Opposition leader
peter lewis
Polling
polls
Prime Minister
Scott Morrison
tony abbott
two party preferred
voting
Voting intention
Recent Comments
