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Views towards Australia’s international reputation

9 Nov 2021

Q. Thinking about Australia’s international reputation, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

  TOTAL:

Agree

TOTAL:

Disagree

Strongly agree Somewhat agree Neither agree nor disagree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree
It’s important that Australia is trusted by its allies 81% 5% 48% 33% 14% 3% 3%
The world needs to work together if we are to address big challenges like climate change and pandemics 78% 8% 51% 27% 14% 4% 4%
As a middle-sized power Australia’s international reputation is important 76% 5% 36% 40% 18% 3% 2%
Australia needs to put its own interests first, even at the cost of international relationships 56% 17% 24% 32% 27% 12% 5%

 

TOTAL: Agree Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor TOTAL: Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
It’s important that Australia is trusted by its allies 81% 79% 82% 70% 82% 90% 83% 84% 80% 76%
The world needs to work together if we are to address big challenges like climate change and pandemics 78% 75% 81% 69% 79% 85% 83% 79% 78% 69%
As a middle-sized power Australia’s international reputation is important 76% 74% 79% 63% 78% 86% 78% 81% 80% 67%
Australia needs to put its own interests first, even at the cost of international relationships 56% 58% 54% 45% 56% 65% 48% 72% 35% 61%
Base (n) 1,089 534 555 336 374 379 354 401 106 125
  • People recognise the importance of international co-operation, with 81% agreeing it’s important for Australia to be a trusted ally and 78% agreeing that global issues require countries to work together.
  • People aged 18-34 were less likely than those aged over 55 to agree that Australia needs to be trusted by its allies (70% to 90%), that the world needs to work together to address challenges (69% to 85%) and that as a middle-sized power Australia’s international reputation is important (63% to 86%).
  • While just over half agree that Australia needs to put its own interests first, even at the cost of international relationships (56%), this is fewer than the agreement with other statements on the importance of international trust and international relations.
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