Whistleblowers
Q. Currently whistleblowers in government agencies who reveal any information about government decisions and projects may be tracked down by the Australian Federal Police and prosecuted using national security powers. Do you approve of such laws or should they be limited to leaks of information that harms our national security?
Total | Vote Labor | Vote Lib/Nat | Vote Greens | Vote other | ||
Approve of laws to prosecute people who release Government information | 30% | 28% | 45% | 14% | 20% | |
Laws should only apply to national security matters | 50% | 54% | 41% | 78% | 64% | |
Don’t know | 19% | 18% | 14% | 8% | 16% |
50% thought that laws about whistleblowers should only apply to national security matters and 30% approved of laws to prosecute people who release Government information.
A majority of Labor (54%) and Greens voters (78%) thought laws should only apply to national security matters. Liberal/National voters were divided.

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
Sign up for updates
Receive the Essential Report in your inbox.Essential Tags
Recent Comments
