Essential Report
Likelihood of second wave
Q. How likely do you think it is, that there will be a second wave of Covid-19 infections will occur as a result of easing restrictions?
Total | Gender | Age Group | ||||
Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | ||
Very likely | 20% | 18% | 21% | 18% | 24% | 17% |
Quite likely | 43% | 41% | 45% | 40% | 40% | 50% |
Neither likely nor unlikely | 24% | 26% | 23% | 28% | 24% | 21% |
Quite unlikely | 10% | 11% | 8% | 11% | 8% | 10% |
Very unlikely | 3% | 4% | 2% | 4% | 4% | 2% |
TOTAL: Likely | 63% | 59% | 67% | 58% | 64% | 67% |
TOTAL: Unlikely | 13% | 15% | 10% | 14% | 12% | 12% |
Base (n) | 1,079 | 525 | 554 | 332 | 362 | 385 |
State | |||||
NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA | |
Very likely | 21% | 24% | 20% | 14% | 14% |
Quite likely | 41% | 45% | 43% | 45% | 43% |
Neither likely nor unlikely | 27% | 21% | 24% | 23% | 24% |
Quite unlikely | 9% | 7% | 10% | 11% | 15% |
Very unlikely | 3% | 2% | 3% | 6% | 4% |
TOTAL: Likely | 62% | 70% | 63% | 59% | 57% |
TOTAL: Unlikely | 12% | 9% | 13% | 18% | 19% |
Very likely | 352 | 261 | 216 | 88 | 110 |
- 63% of participants think a second wave of Covid-19 infections is probable with women (67%) and 55+ year olds (67%) more likely to say this will happen.
- Victorians (70%) are more likely than other state residents to think a second wave is probable (61%), which coincides with the announcement of 19 new cases over the weekend.
- There are no significant differences across voting intentions.

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- Performance of Scott Morrison
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- 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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