Australia and United States – How they compare
Q. How do you think Australia compares to the United States on the following:
|
Total better in Australia |
Total better in USA |
A lot better in Australia |
A little better in Australia |
About the same |
A little better in USA |
A lot better in USA |
Don’t know |
|
| Access to health care |
82% |
5% |
61% |
21% |
8% |
3% |
2% |
5% |
| Standard of living for ordinary working people |
74% |
7% |
40% |
34% |
13% |
5% |
2% |
6% |
| Access to jobs |
70% |
5% |
34% |
36% |
17% |
4% |
1% |
7% |
| Public safety |
66% |
4% |
32% |
34% |
22% |
3% |
1% |
7% |
| Wages |
64% |
9% |
34% |
30% |
17% |
7% |
2% |
10% |
| Work rights |
63% |
7% |
34% |
29% |
18% |
5% |
2% |
13% |
| Education standards |
47% |
16% |
20% |
27% |
27% |
12% |
4% |
10% |
| Rights of individuals |
44% |
14% |
19% |
25% |
34% |
10% |
4% |
8% |
| Opportunities to succeed in business |
35% |
22% |
14% |
21% |
32% |
16% |
6% |
12% |
| International influence |
17% |
56% |
8% |
9% |
19% |
21% |
35% |
9% |
The vast majority of respondents think health care, standard of living, access to jobs, public safety, wages and work rights are better in Australia than in the US.
They are somewhat less certain about education standards, individual rights and opportunities to succeed in business – but still think these are better in Australia.
Only on international influence did respondents favour the US.
World Safer Place Post 9/11
Q. Thinking about the September 11 attack on the World Trade Centre 10 years ago – do you think the world is a safer or less safe place than it was 10 years ago?
| Total | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | |
| Total safer | 23% | 25% | 26% | 16% |
| Total less safe | 31% | 26% | 32% | 29% |
| A lot safer | 5% | 7% | 5% | 2% |
| A little safer | 18% | 18% | 21% | 14% |
| About the same | 42% | 44% | 39% | 52% |
| A little less safe | 18% | 16% | 19% | 21% |
| A lot less safe | 13% | 10% | 13% | 8% |
| Don’t know | 4% | 5% | 3% | 3% |
In total, more respondents feel that the world is now less safe (31% total less safe) than 10 years ago, with 23% feeling that it is safer.
Those aged between 18-24 years old are more likely to regard the world as safer, with 29% stating that it is either a lot safer or a little safer (total safer). Twenty five per cent (25%) of 18-24 year olds stated that the world is either a little less safe or a lot less safe than 10 years ago (total less safe).
Greens voters are the least likely to regard the world as a safer place (16% total safer) in the 10 years post 9-11. Lib/Nat voters are the most likely to regard the world as less safe (32% total less safe) than 10 years ago.
Australia Safer Place Post 9/11
Q. Do you think Australia is a safer or less safe place than it was 10 years ago?
| Total | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | |
| Total safer | 19% | 28% | 18% | 12% |
| Total less safe | 36% | 28% | 40% | 28% |
| A lot safer | 5% | 9% | 5% | 3% |
| A little safer | 14% | 19% | 13% | 9% |
| About the same | 42% | 43% | 40% | 59% |
| A little less safe | 26% | 21% | 30% | 24% |
| A lot less safe | 10% | 7% | 10% | 4% |
| Don’t know | 3% | 2% | 3% | 2% |
More respondents think that Australia is now less safe than it was 10 years ago (36% total less safe), compared to those that think it is safer (19% total safe). Most respondents think it is about the same (42%).
Those aged 25-34 years old are more likely to regard Australia as a lot safer (10%) than the general sample (5%). Those aged 65+ are significantly more likely to regard Australia as less safe, with 57% of these respondents stating that they felt it was total less safe overall, compared with 36% of the general sample.
Labor voters are the most likely to regard Australia as a safer place than it was 10 years ago (28% total safer) and Greens voters are the least likely to do so (12% total safer).
Lib/Nat voters are the most likely to regard Australia as less safe than 10 years ago (40%), compared with 28% of Labor and 28% of Greens voters.
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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