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Views towards Australia’s involvement in the Afghanistan conflict

31 Aug 2021

Q. How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statements about Australian involvement in the 20-year conflict in Afghanistan?

  TOTAL: Agree TOTAL: Disagree Strongly agree Somewhat agree Neither disagree nor agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree
Australia should increase its refugee intake to include more people fleeing the violence in Afghanistan 48% 24% 20% 28% 28% 11% 12%
The government should grant permanent visas to all Afghan nationals currently in Australia 43% 26% 19% 24% 31% 13% 13%
The deployment of Australian troops in Afghanistan has benefitted Afghanistan and its inhabitants 42% 22% 13% 28% 37% 11% 11%
The deployment of Australian troops in Afghanistan has improved Australia’s reputation internationally 36% 22% 11% 25% 42% 12% 10%

 

TOTAL: Agree Total Gender Age Group Federal Voting Intention
Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Labor TOTAL: Coalition Greens TOTAL: Other
Australia should increase its refugee intake to include more people fleeing the violence in Afghanistan 48% 51% 45% 53% 46% 45% 54% 46% 72% 29%
The government should grant permanent visas to all Afghan nationals currently in Australia 43% 48% 37% 46% 40% 42% 48% 41% 65% 26%
The deployment of Australian troops in Afghanistan has benefitted Afghanistan and its inhabitants 42% 43% 40% 38% 45% 42% 36% 55% 38% 33%
The deployment of Australian troops in Afghanistan has improved Australia’s reputation internationally 36% 42% 31% 35% 40% 33% 30% 47% 38% 27%
Base (n) 1,100 539 561 341 374 385 388 405 90 119
  • Around half of people would support Australia increasing its refugee intake in light of recent events in Afghanistan (48%), and 43% agree that permanent visas should be granted for all Afghan nationals currently living in Australia.
  • Agreement with increasing Australia’s refugee intake is highest among men (51%), those aged 18-34 (53%), Labor voters (54%) and Greens voters (72%).
  • When thinking about the impact of the Afghan conflict, 42% agree that the deployment of Australian troops in Afghanistan has benefitted Afghanistan and its inhabitants with 22% disagreeing.
  • 36% agree that the deployment of Australian troops in Afghanistan has improved Australia’s reputation internationally, 22% disagree.
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