Party trust to handle issues
Q. Which party would you trust most to handle the following issues?
Liberal | Labor | Unsure | Difference | Difference Oct’19 | ||
National Security | 41% | 28% | 32% | +13 | +17 | |
Management of the economy | 41% | 31% | 29% | +10 | +15 | |
Maintaining international relations | 37% | 32% | 31% | +5 | N/A | |
Ensuring the quality of Australia’s health system | 35% | 38% | 27% | -3 | -9 | |
Ensuring a quality education for all children | 34% | 38% | 28% | -4 | -7 | |
Housing affordability | 29% | 38% | 33% | -9 | -7 | |
Protecting Australian jobs and protection of local industries | 32% | 41% | 26% | -9 | -9 | |
Addressing climate change | 26% | 39% | 35% | -13 | -15 | |
Fair wages and workplace conditions | 28% | 46% | 27% | -18 | -19 | |
Base (n) | 1,094 | 1,094 | 1,094 | 1,033 |
- The Liberal party is most trusted to handle national security (41%, 13pts higher than Labor), manage the economy (41%, 10pts higher than Labor) and maintain international relations (37%, 5pts ahead of Labor).
- Labor are most trusted to handle fair wages and workplace conditions (46%, 18pt ahead of Liberals), address climate change (39%, 13pts ahead of Liberals), protect Australian jobs and local industries (41%, 9pts over Liberals) and increase housing affordability (38%, 9pts over Liberals).
- There is little difference in trust between the two major parties to ensure the quality of healthcare or education systems.
- The difference in trust between the parties is mostly similar to last time this was tested in October 2019.
Politicians Lying
Q. Which statement best reflects your view:
Total | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | ||
When a politician makes a statement or commitment they should stick to it no matter what | 17% | 12% | 21% | 16% | |
As situations change, it is reasonable that politicians change their positions | 47% | 65% | 36% | 61% | |
Politicians almost always lie – it’s naive to think otherwise | 36% | 23% | 43% | 23% |
The most common position taken by respondents is that ‘as situations change, it is reasonable that politicians change their positions’ (47%). Labor voters are the most likely to adopt this position.
Thirty six (36%) of respondents took the view that ‘politicians almost always like – it’s naïve to think otherwise’, and Coalition voters are the most likely to take this view.
Only 17% of respondents felt that ‘when a politician make a statement or commitment they should stick to it not matter what’, with Coalition voters the most likely to adopt this view.

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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