Security and defence

Important security partners for Australia

Concern about non-traditional security threats appears to have eclipsed that of traditional security threats for Australians in 2020. COVID-19 and ‘drought and water shortages’ are seen as the top threats to Australia’s vital interests in the next ten years. Traditional threats such as international terrorism and Iran's nuclear program have moved from the forefront of the Australian public's mind, whereas concern about 'a severe downturn in the global economy' has risen by 20 points, with 71% saying that it poses a critical threat. Following the bushfire crisis over the Australian summer, six in ten Australians see 'environmental disasters such as bushfires and floods' (67%) and climate change (59%) as critical threats. Australians are feeling extremely anxious in 2020, with only 50% of the country saying they feel safe, a sizeable 28-point drop from 2018.

Security and defence
Important security partners for Australia

Question

Which country do you personally think will be Australia's second-most important security partner over the next 10 years?

This question was asked in 2012.

United Kingdom / England / Britain

New Zealand (NZ)

China

United States / USA

Indonesia

Don’t know

Japan

India

Malaysia

North Korea

European Union (EU)

Canada

Singapore

Russia

France

Papua New Guinea

South Korea

Other

None / don’t need one

Afghanistan

South America

Egypt

Germany

Sweden

Bangladesh

Fiji

East Timor

Thailand

Israel

Pakistan

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Question

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