Australian foreign policy

Australian values and foreign policy

In considering Australia’s foreign policy, there can sometimes be a clash between economic interests and democratic values. Asked about priorities for Australia in this situation, six in ten Australians (60%) say that Australia’s democratic values are more important, whereas more than one third (38%) say that economic interests are more important. In a similar question asked more than a decade ago in 2007, three-quarters of the country (74%) said that ‘democratic or humanitarian values’ were more important, compared to 18% selecting ‘economic or political interests’. This indicates an increased emphasis on economic interests in the past decade.

Australian foreign policy
Australian values and foreign policy

Question

In dealing with international problems, there can sometimes be a clash between Australia’s economic interests and Australia’s democratic values. When that happens, should interests or values be considered more important?

This question was last asked in 2020.

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75%
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2007

2020

In 2007, the question asked 'In dealing with international problems, there can sometimes be a clash between Australia’s economic or political interests and Australia’s democratic or humanitarian values. When that happens, should interests or values be considered more important?'
Dashed line indicates change in mode: see Methodology.

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