Democracy

Importance of human rights in Australia

The Lowy Institute’s polling on attitudes towards democracy has provoked considerable debate since we first asked Australians for their views in 2012. There is mixed awareness of democracies in our region amongst Australians, with the majority recognising Japan, India, Papua New Guinea and Taiwan as democracies, but not agreeing that Indonesia is a democracy. In 2019, support for democracy in Australia was stable, with 65% of Australians saying that ‘democracy is preferable to any other kind of government’. One in five (22%) say that ‘in some circumstances, a non-democratic government can be preferable’, while 12% say that ‘for someone like me, it doesn’t matter what kind of government we have’.

Democracy
Importance of human rights in Australia

Question

And now I will ask you about the United Nations and human rights. The United Nations has set out a number of human rights that it says apply to all people throughout the world. I am going to read you a few of these. For each one, please say whether you personally agree or disagree that it is important for you here in Australia. And is that strongly or partly?

This question was asked in 2012.

0%
25%
50%
75%
100%

The right to a fair trial

The right to vote in national elections

The right to freely express yourself

The right to a media free from censorship

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