The polling that drives dog whistle politics … and may cure them
First published on The Drum: 01/03/2011
Here is the polling that is driving Scott Morrison’s subterranean attack on Muslims, confirmation that a majority of Australians are concerned about their numbers.
For too long conservative blowhards like Morrison have been running agendas that directly reference these findings but because they have remained hidden in a desk drawer they are merely debating an issue.
After much soul-searching, Essential has decided to commit an act of political interruption. We debated whether it was worth giving voice to these attitudes long and hard, but we believe getting this stuff out in the open is the only way to silence the dog whistle.
Q. Are you concerned about the number of Muslim people in Australia?
Total | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | ||
Total concerned | 57% | 50% | 69% | 32% | |
Total not concerned | 38% | 46% | 28% | 68% | |
Very Concerned | 28% | 21% | 37% | 12% | |
Somewhat concerned | 29% | 29% | 32% | 20% | |
Not very concerned | 21% | 23% | 19% | 27% | |
Not at all concerned | 17% | 23% | 9% | 41% | |
Don’t know/Refused | 5% | 4% | 2% | — |

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