Essential Report
Views towards reopening international borders
Q. Thinking about reopening Australia’s international borders, which of the following 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 | ||
We need to accept some deaths to reopen our borders as the cost of remaining closed is too high | 20% | 24% | 17% | 20% | 23% | 19% | 12% | 26% | 18% | 24% |
We need to accept some deaths but must take every reasonable step to minimise deaths, even if it means slowing our reopening | 45% | 43% | 48% | 46% | 45% | 45% | 48% | 46% | 47% | 43% |
We cannot accept any deaths that could be prevented by keeping our borders closed until it’s safe to reopen them | 34% | 34% | 35% | 35% | 32% | 36% | 40% | 27% | 34% | 33% |
Base (n) | 1,100 | 539 | 561 | 341 | 374 | 385 | 367 | 389 | 103 | 145 |
State | |||||
NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | |
We need to accept some deaths to reopen our borders as the cost of remaining closed is too high | 24% | 22% | 18% | 14% | 15% |
We need to accept some deaths but must take every reasonable step to minimise deaths, even if it means slowing our reopening | 49% | 47% | 42% | 47% | 39% |
We cannot accept any deaths that could be prevented by keeping our borders closed until it’s safe to reopen them | 27% | 30% | 40% | 40% | 46% |
Base (n) | 352 | 274 | 217 | 89 | 111 |
- When thinking about reopening Australia’s international borders, 45% think we need to accept some deaths but must take every reasonable step to minimise deaths, even if it means slowing our reopening.
- A third (34%) think we cannot accept any deaths that could be prevented by keeping our borders closed until it’s safe to reopen them. 20% think we need to accept some deaths to reopen our borders as the cost of remaining closed is too high.
- Men are more likely than women to think the cost of remaining closed is too high (24% to 17%), as are Coalition voters compared to all other voters (26% to 15%).
Comprehension and confidence in PM’s plan to ‘safely reopen’ Australia
Q. The Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he has a “safe plan to ensure that Australia can open up again with confidence”.
Thinking about this statement, which of the following applies to you?
Total | Gender | Age Group | Federal Voting Intention | |||||||||
Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Labor | TOTAL: Coalition | Greens | TOTAL: Other | ||||
I understand the plan and have confidence in it | 26% | 34% | 19% | 30% | 27% | 23% | 18% | 40% | 23% | 19% | ||
I understand the plan but don’t have confidence in it | 39% | 38% | 40% | 38% | 38% | 40% | 49% | 30% | 40% | 43% | ||
I’m aware of the plan but don’t understand it | 15% | 14% | 17% | 15% | 13% | 17% | 12% | 17% | 19% | 14% | ||
I’m not aware of the plan | 20% | 14% | 25% | 16% | 22% | 20% | 21% | 13% | 19% | 24% | ||
Base (n) | 1,100 | 539 | 561 | 341 | 374 | 385 | 367 | 389 | 103 | 145 | ||
State | |||||
NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | |
I understand the plan and have confidence in it | 32% | 26% | 23% | 22% | 23% |
I understand the plan but don’t have confidence in it | 38% | 43% | 35% | 38% | 41% |
I’m aware of the plan but don’t understand it | 17% | 14% | 15% | 18% | 14% |
I’m not aware of the plan | 14% | 17% | 27% | 22% | 22% |
Base (n) | 352 | 274 | 217 | 89 | 111 |
- About 4 in 10 (39%) say they understand the PM’s plan to ‘safely reopen’ Australia but don’t have confidence in it. In comparison, about a quarter (26%) say they understand the plan and have confidence in it.
- 20% aren’t aware of this plan, and 15% are aware of it but don’t understand it.
- Men are almost twice as likely as women to say they understand the plan and have confidence in it (34% to 19% respectively). Whereas women are more likely than men to say they aren’t aware of the plan (25% to 14%).
- Besides men, those aged 18-34 (30%) and Coalition voters (40%) are more likely than others to say they understand and have confidence in the PM’s plan.

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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