Australian foreign policy

Australian Prime Ministers and Foreign Policy

Australians are divided on many of the big questions about our role in the world. Half the country wants Australia to play a more influential role in the world, the other half would prefer Australia turned inwards. The majority of Australians consider democratic values to be more important than economic interests, when prosecuting foreign policy. But most Australians would also prioritise national interests over global agreements, when a clash occurred between the two in a global forum. As great power competition continues to escalate, Australians are divided on our relationship with the world's superpowers. Older Australians say the relationship with the United States is most important, whereas young Australians choose China as a more important partner.

Australian foreign policy
Australian Prime Ministers and Foreign Policy

Question

In your personal view, has each of the following prime ministers done a very good job, a reasonable job, or a poor job in handling Australia’s foreign policy?

This question was asked in 2016.

0%
25%
50%
75%
100%

John Howard

Bob Hawke

Paul Keating

Kevin Rudd

Malcolm Turnbull

Julia Gillard

Tony Abbott

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