Leader Attributes – Tony Abbott
Q. Which of the following describe your opinion of the Prime Minister, Tony Abbott?
2 Sep 14 (as Opposition leader) |
29 Oct 14 |
15 Apr |
|
Total 27 May |
Change |
|
Out of touch with ordinary people |
52% |
51% |
56% |
67% |
+11 |
|
Arrogant |
52% |
54% |
58% |
63% |
+5 |
|
Narrow-minded |
55% |
54% |
56% |
61% |
+5 |
|
Hard working |
71% |
67% |
66% |
57% |
-9 |
|
Superficial |
48% |
49% |
50% |
57% |
+7 |
|
Intolerant |
47% |
49% |
47% |
55% |
+8 |
|
Intelligent |
63% |
62% |
59% |
52% |
-7 |
|
Aggressive |
47% |
46% |
45% |
52% |
+7 |
|
Erratic |
43% |
43% |
43% |
51% |
+8 |
|
Understands the problems facing Australia |
46% |
51% |
48% |
42% |
-5 |
|
A capable leader |
46% |
52% |
50% |
41% |
-9 |
|
Good in a crisis |
39% |
45% |
45% |
35% |
-10 |
|
Visionary |
35% |
33% |
34% |
31% |
-3 |
|
More honest than most politicians |
34% |
39% |
37% |
30% |
-7 |
|
Trustworthy |
38% |
40% |
40% |
29% |
-11 |
Tony Abbott’s key attributes were out of touch with ordinary people (67%), arrogant (63%), narrow-minded (61%), hard working (57%) and superficial (57%).
Since April, the largest shifts have been for out of touch with ordinary people (+11), trustworthy (-11), good in a crisis (-10), hard working (-9) and a capable leader (-9).
Leader attributes – Julia Gillard
Q. Which of the following describe your opinion of the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard?
5 Jul 10 |
27 Jun 11 |
2 Apr 12 |
14 Jan 13 |
2 Apr 13 |
|
23 Jun 13 |
Change |
|
Hard-working |
89% |
75% |
65% |
72% |
66% |
71% |
+5 |
|
Intelligent |
87% |
73% |
61% |
72% |
69% |
69% |
– |
|
Out of touch with ordinary people |
35% |
60% |
65% |
53% |
64% |
57% |
-7 |
|
Superficial |
52% |
54% |
46% |
55% |
49% |
-6 |
||
Arrogant |
37% |
48% |
53% |
47% |
55% |
48% |
-7 |
|
Erratic |
– |
– |
– |
40% |
55% |
47% |
-8 |
|
Narrow-minded |
28% |
46% |
53% |
45% |
55% |
46% |
-9 |
|
Aggressive |
– |
– |
– |
46% |
55% |
45% |
-10 |
|
A capable leader |
72% |
42% |
38% |
50% |
37% |
44% |
+7 |
|
Understands the problems facing Australia |
68% |
44% |
41% |
47% |
37% |
42% |
+5 |
|
Good in a crisis |
61% |
41% |
36% |
50% |
44% |
41% |
-3 |
|
Intolerant |
– |
– |
– |
37% |
49% |
39% |
-10 |
|
Visionary |
48% |
26% |
25% |
29% |
30% |
32% |
+2 |
|
More honest than most politicians |
45% |
29% |
26% |
30% |
27% |
30% |
+3 |
|
Trustworthy |
49% |
30% |
25% |
32% |
25% |
30% |
+5 |
Julia Gillard’s key attributes were hard-working (71%), intelligent (69%), out of touch with ordinary people (57%), superficial (49%), arrogant (48%), and erratic (47%). Almost all positive leader attributes for Gillard moved up and the negative attributes moved down from the last time the question was polled in April. The biggest shifts were for aggressive (-10), intolerant (-10), narrow-minded (-9), erratic (-8), a capable leader (+7), arrogant (-7) and out of touch with ordinary people (-7).
Leader attributes – Julia Gillard
Q. Which of the following describe your opinion of the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard?
5 |
4 |
7 |
27 |
2 |
17 |
14 |
2 |
Change |
|
Intelligent |
87% |
81% |
75% |
73% |
61% |
68% |
72% |
69% |
-3% |
Hard-working |
89% |
82% |
76% |
75% |
65% |
69% |
72% |
66% |
-6% |
Out of touch with ordinary people |
35% |
44% |
50% |
60% |
65% |
56% |
53% |
64% |
+11% |
Arrogant |
37% |
39% |
44% |
48% |
53% |
46% |
47% |
55% |
+8% |
Superficial |
51% |
52% |
54% |
46% |
46% |
55% |
+9% |
||
Narrow-minded |
28% |
35% |
43% |
46% |
53% |
46% |
45% |
55% |
+10% |
Aggressive |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
42% |
46% |
55% |
+9% |
Erratic |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
43% |
40% |
55% |
+15% |
Intolerant |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
37% |
37% |
49% |
+12% |
Good in a crisis |
61% |
46% |
46% |
41% |
36% |
43% |
50% |
44% |
-6% |
A capable leader |
72% |
59% |
52% |
42% |
38% |
43% |
50% |
37% |
-13% |
Understands the problems facing Australia |
68% |
55% |
52% |
44% |
41% |
43% |
47% |
37% |
-10% |
Visionary |
48% |
38% |
30% |
26% |
25% |
31% |
29% |
30% |
+1% |
More honest than most politicians |
45% |
37% |
37% |
29% |
26% |
31% |
30% |
27% |
-3% |
Trustworthy |
49% |
42% |
40% |
30% |
25% |
30% |
32% |
25% |
-7% |
Julia Gillard’s key attributes were intelligent (69%), hard-working (66%), out of touch with ordinary people (64%), arrogant (55%), superficial (55%), narrow-minded (55%), aggressive (55%) and erratic (55%). Almost all positive leader attributes for Gillard moved down and the negative attributes moved down from the last time the question was polled in January. The biggest shifts were for erratic (+15%), a capable leader (-13%), intolerant (+12), out of touch with ordinary people (+11%), narrow-minded (+10%) and understands the problems facing Australia (-10%).
Leader attributes – Tony Abbott
Q. Which of the following describe your opinion of the Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott?
5 |
4 |
7 |
27 |
2 |
17 |
14 |
2 |
Change |
|
Hard-working |
76% |
78% |
72% |
75% |
68% |
67% |
70% |
70% |
– |
Intelligent |
70% |
71% |
64% |
61% |
56% |
62% |
64% |
63% |
-1% |
Arrogant |
59% |
60% |
58% |
60% |
61% |
63% |
61% |
56% |
-5% |
Narrow-minded |
56% |
53% |
51% |
54% |
54% |
59% |
56% |
53% |
-3% |
Out of touch with ordinary people |
57% |
53% |
54% |
57% |
54% |
57% |
54% |
52% |
-2% |
Understands the problems facing Australia |
50% |
53% |
50% |
48% |
49% |
43% |
47% |
49% |
+2% |
Superficial |
45% |
49% |
49% |
51% |
48% |
49% |
+1% |
||
Aggressive |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
59% |
55% |
49% |
-6% |
Intolerant |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
53% |
49% |
48% |
-1% |
A capable leader |
47% |
52% |
48% |
45% |
41% |
37% |
43% |
47% |
+4% |
Erratic |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
51% |
51% |
45% |
-6% |
Good in a crisis |
40% |
42% |
41% |
40% |
36% |
35% |
39% |
44% |
+5% |
Visionary |
32% |
31% |
27% |
27% |
26% |
29% |
28% |
37% |
+9% |
More honest than most politicians |
33% |
32% |
31% |
32% |
30% |
27% |
29% |
36% |
+7% |
Trustworthy |
33% |
35% |
34% |
32% |
32% |
30% |
33% |
36% |
+3% |
Tony Abbott’s key attributes were hard-working (70%), intelligent (63%), arrogant (56%), narrow-minded (53%) and out of touch with ordinary people (52%).
Since January the major shifts have been for visionary (+9%), more honest than most politicians (+7%), erratic (-6%), aggressive (-6%), arrogant (-5%) and good in a crisis (+5%).
Leader attributes – comparisons
Gillard |
Abbott |
Difference |
|
Out of touch with ordinary people |
64% |
52% |
+12% |
Erratic |
55% |
45% |
+10% |
Intelligent |
69% |
63% |
+6% |
Superficial |
55% |
49% |
+6% |
Aggressive |
55% |
49% |
+6% |
Narrow-minded |
55% |
53% |
+2% |
Intolerant |
49% |
48% |
+1% |
Good in a crisis |
44% |
44% |
– |
Arrogant |
55% |
56% |
-1% |
Hard-working |
66% |
70% |
-4% |
Visionary |
30% |
37% |
-7% |
More honest than most politicians |
27% |
36% |
-9% |
A capable leader |
37% |
47% |
-10% |
Trustworthy |
25% |
36% |
-11% |
Understands the problems facing Australia |
37% |
49% |
-12% |
Compared to Tony Abbott, Julia Gillard is seen as more likely to be considered out of touch with ordinary people (+12%) and erratic (+10%).
Tony Abbott is regarded by significantly more respondents to understand the problems facing Australians (+12) and to be trustworthy (+11%), a capable leader (+10%) and more honest than most politicians (+9%).
Leader Attributes – Julia Gillard
Q. Which of the following describe your opinion of the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard?
5 Jul 10 |
4 Oct 10 |
7 Feb 11 |
27 Jun 11 |
2 Apr 12 |
17 Sept 12 |
14 Jan 13 |
Change |
|
Intelligent |
87% |
81% |
75% |
73% |
61% |
68% |
72% |
+4% |
Hard-working |
89% |
82% |
76% |
75% |
65% |
69% |
72% |
+3% |
A capable leader |
72% |
59% |
52% |
42% |
38% |
43% |
50% |
+7% |
Arrogant |
37% |
39% |
44% |
48% |
53% |
46% |
47% |
+1% |
Out of touch with ordinary people |
35% |
44% |
50% |
60% |
65% |
56% |
53% |
-3% |
Understands the problems facing Australia |
68% |
55% |
52% |
44% |
41% |
43% |
47% |
+4% |
Visionary |
48% |
38% |
30% |
26% |
25% |
31% |
29% |
-2% |
Superficial |
|
|
51% |
52% |
54% |
46% |
46% |
– |
Good in a crisis |
61% |
46% |
46% |
41% |
36% |
43% |
50% |
+7% |
Narrow-minded |
28% |
35% |
43% |
46% |
53% |
46% |
45% |
-1% |
More honest than most politicians |
45% |
37% |
37% |
29% |
26% |
31% |
30% |
-1% |
Trustworthy |
49% |
42% |
40% |
30% |
25% |
30% |
32% |
+2% |
Intolerant |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
37% |
37% |
– |
Aggressive |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
42% |
46% |
+4% |
Erratic |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
43% |
40% |
-3% |
Gillard’s key attributes were hard-working (72%), intelligent (72%), out of touch with ordinary people (53%), a capable leader (50%) and good in a crisis (50%). Almost all positive leader attributes for Gillard moved up from the last time the question was polled in September 2012. The biggest shifts on the positive attributes were on a capable leader (+7%) and good in a crisis (+7%).
Leader attributes – comparisons
Gillard |
Abbott |
Difference |
|
Intelligent |
72% |
64% |
+8% |
Hard-working |
72% |
70% |
+2% |
A capable leader |
50% |
43% |
+7% |
Arrogant |
47% |
61% |
-14% |
Out of touch with ordinary people |
53% |
54% |
-1% |
Understands the problems facing Australia |
47% |
47% |
– |
Visionary |
29% |
28% |
+1% |
Superficial |
46% |
48% |
-2% |
Good in a crisis |
50% |
39% |
+11% |
Narrow-minded |
45% |
56% |
-11% |
More honest than most politicians |
30% |
29% |
+1% |
Trustworthy |
32% |
33% |
-1% |
Intolerant |
37% |
49% |
-12% |
Aggressive |
46% |
55% |
-9% |
Erratic |
40% |
51% |
-11% |
Compared to Tony Abbott, Julia Gillard is seen as more likely to be considered good in a crisis (+11%), intelligent (+8%) and a capable leader (+7%).
Abbott is regarded by significantly more respondents to be arrogant (+14%), narrow minded (+11%), intolerant (+12%) and erratic (+11%).
Leader Attributes – Julia Gillard
Q. Which of the following describe your opinion of the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard?
5 Jul 10 |
4 Oct 10 |
7 Feb 11 |
27 Jun 11 |
2 Apr 12 |
17 Sept 12 |
Change |
|
Intelligent |
87% |
81% |
75% |
73% |
61% |
68% |
+7% |
Hard-working |
89% |
82% |
76% |
75% |
65% |
69% |
+4% |
A capable leader |
72% |
59% |
52% |
42% |
38% |
43% |
+5% |
Arrogant |
37% |
39% |
44% |
48% |
53% |
46% |
-7% |
Out of touch with ordinary people |
35% |
44% |
50% |
60% |
65% |
56% |
-9% |
Understands the problems facing Australia |
68% |
55% |
52% |
44% |
41% |
43% |
+2% |
Visionary |
48% |
38% |
30% |
26% |
25% |
31% |
+6% |
Superficial |
|
|
51% |
52% |
54% |
46% |
-8% |
Good in a crisis |
61% |
46% |
46% |
41% |
36% |
43% |
+7% |
Narrow-minded |
28% |
35% |
43% |
46% |
53% |
46% |
-7% |
More honest than most politicians |
45% |
37% |
37% |
29% |
26% |
31% |
+5% |
Trustworthy |
49% |
42% |
40% |
30% |
25% |
30% |
+5% |
Intolerant |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
37% |
|
Aggressive |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
42% |
|
Erratic |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
43% |
|
Gillard’s key attributes were hard-working (69%), intelligent (68%) and out of touch with ordinary people (56%). All positive leader attributes for Gillard moved up from the last time the question was polled in April 2012. The biggest shifts on the positive attributes were on intelligent (+7%) and visionary (+6%).
All negative attributes shifted down from April. The attributes that had the largest shifts downwards were out of touch with ordinary people (-10%) and superficial (-8%).

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