Themes

Security and defence

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.

69 questions match this theme

Security and defence

Threats to Australia's vital interests

Below is a list of possible threats to the vital interest of Australia in the next ten years. Do you see this as a critical threat, an important but not critical threat, or not an important threat at all?
Asked in
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2014
- 2009
- 2008
- 2006
Security and defence

Feeling of safety

Thinking about world events, how safe do you feel?
Asked in
- 2020
- 2018
- 2017
- 2015
- 2010
- 2009
- 2008
- 2007
- 2006
- 2005
Security and defence

Australia's intelligence agencies

Now about Australia’s intelligence activities and national security. For each of the statements below, please indicate whether you agree or disagree...
Asked in
- 2020
Security and defence

Quadrilateral Security Dialogue

Thinking now about Australia’s partnerships in the world. Would you support or oppose Australia forming a four-way partnership with the democracies of India, Japan and the United States to promote peace and security in the region?
Asked in
- 2020
China

Australian government policies towards China

Would you support or oppose the following Australian government policies towards China?
Asked in
- 2020
United States

Importance of the US alliance

How important is our alliance relationship with the United States for Australia’s security?
Asked in
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
- 2012
- 2011
- and 6 more
Security and defence

Foreign technology in Australia

What should the government prioritise when considering which foreign companies should be allowed to supply new technology for important services in Australia?
Asked in
- 2019
Security and defence

Use of Australian military forces

There has been some discussion about the circumstances that might justify using Australian military forces in other parts of the world. Please give your opinion about the following situations. Would you personally be in favour or against the use of Australian military forces...
Asked in
Security and defence

Foreign influence in Australian politics

Are you personally concerned or not concerned about the influence of each of the following countries on Australia’s political processes?
Asked in
- 2018
United States

Joint military action under President Trump

Should Australia cooperate militarily with the United States under the presidency of Donald Trump?
Asked in
- 2018
- 2016
Australian foreign policy

Satisfaction with the direction of the world

And turning to the situation in the world overall, are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way things are going in the world today?
Asked in
- 2018
- 2017
Security and defence

Terrorism as a threat to Australia's interests

Do you agree or disagree the following is a reason why terrorism may be a threat to Australia's vital interests?
Asked in
- 2018
China

Freedom of navigation in the South China Sea

In response to China's increasing military activities in the South China Sea, the United States has been conducting freedom of navigation operations designed to ensure freedom of navigation in the region. Are you personally in favour or against Australia conducting similar operations in an effort to ensure freedom of navigation in the South China Sea?
Asked in
- 2017
- 2016
Security and defence

Air strikes against Islamic State

Are you personally in favour or against Australia conducting air strikes against Islamic State in Syria?
Asked in
- 2016
Security and defence

Australia's next-generation submarines

Where should Australia's next-generation submarines be built?
Asked in
- 2016
Australian foreign policy

Important issues facing Australia

Please say whether you personally think each of the following is a very important issue, a somewhat important issue, or not an important issue facing Australia at the moment...
Asked in
- 2016
Security and defence

New submarines

And now about Australia’s proposed purchase of new submarines. Companies in France, Germany and Japan are in a competitive tender to build Australia’s next generation of submarines. Which statement comes closest to your personal view?
Asked in
- 2016
Australian foreign policy

Australia in the G20 and UNSC

Is the effort to host the G20 or hold a seat on the United Nations Security Council worth the cost for Australia?
Asked in
- 2015
Security and defence

Conflict between China and Japan

In the event of a military conflict between China and Japan, please say which one of the following statements comes closest to your own personal view.
Asked in
- 2015
Security and defence

Data retention legislation and privacy

Is Australian government legislation to retain communications data justified or not justified as part of the effort to combat terrorism and protect national security?
Asked in
- 2015
Security and defence

Global risk priorities for Australia

Do you see the following as a high, moderate, low or no risk to Australia's security in the next ten years?
Asked in
- 2015
Security and defence

Consular support to Australians

Now on the consular support the Australian government gives travellers when they encounter difficulty overseas. I am going to read out some statements other people have made about the consular support government gives to Australian travellers in difficulty overseas. For each one please say whether you personally agree or disagree...
Asked in
- 2014
Security and defence

Spying practices

Which countries is it acceptable for Australia to spy on?
Asked in
- 2014
Security and defence

Air strikes on Iran's nuclear program

Are you personally in favour or against the use of military air strikes on Iran to stop its attempts to develop nuclear weapons? Is that strongly or somewhat?
Asked in
- 2013
- 2012
Australian foreign policy

Australia after the UN Security Council

Will Australia’s time on the United Nations Security Council will give Australia a lot more influence, a little more influence, or make no difference to Australia’s influence in the world?
Asked in
- 2013
Australian foreign policy

Australia in the UN Security Council

Will Australia’s time on the United Nations Security Council will be good for Australia, bad for Australia, or make no difference?
Asked in
- 2013
Security and defence

Costs and benefits of war in Afghanistan

All in all, considering the costs to Australia versus the benefits to Australia, do you personally think the war in Afghanistan has been worth fighting, or not worth fighting?
Asked in
- 2013
Security and defence

Government spending on defence

I am now going to read you three statements about Australian government spending on Defence. Please say which statement comes closest to your own personal view about government spending on Defence.
Asked in
- 2013
Security and defence

Government's response to terrorism

Now about government responses to terrorism. Since 9/11 and the Bali bombings, Australia has been trying to stop terrorist attacks against its citizens. Please say which one of the following statements you personally agree with most...
Asked in
- 2013
United States

US military base in Australia

Are you personally in favour or against Australia allowing the United States to base US military forces here in Australia?
Asked in
- 2013
- 2011
Security and defence

Views on Wikileaks

Thinking now about the WikiLeaks website that publishes classified documents. Do you personally think the job WikiLeaks does is more of a good thing or more of a bad thing
Asked in
- 2013
- 2011
China

China as the leading power in Asia

Please say whether you agree or disagree that China will become the leading power in Asia or, do you think it already is the leading power in Asia?
Asked in
- 2012
China

Comfort with China leading Asia

You think China will become the leading power in Asia. Please say whether you are very comfortable, somewhat comfortable, somewhat uncomfortable or very uncomfortable about this.
Asked in
Security and defence

Continued military involvement in Afghanistan

Should Australia continue to be involved militarily in Afghanistan?
Asked in
- 2012
- 2011
- 2010
- 2009
- 2008
- 2007
Security and defence

Costs and benefits of war in Iraq

In overall terms, do you personally agree or disagree that the war in Iraq was worth the costs for Australia? Is that strongly or somewhat?
Asked in
- 2012
Economic and trade policy

Exporting uranium to India

Are you personally in favour or against Australia selling uranium to India? Is that strongly or somewhat?
Asked in
- 2012
Security and defence

Important security partners for Australia

Which country do you personally think will be Australia's most important security partner over the next 10 years?
Asked in
- 2012
Security and defence

Important security partners for Australia

Which country do you personally think will be Australia's second-most important security partner over the next 10 years?
Asked in
- 2012
United States

Increasing US soldiers based in Darwin

Would you be in favour or against allowing more US soldiers than the 2,500 limit to be based in Australia?
Asked in
- 2012
Security and defence

Special forces remaining in Afghanistan

Would you personally be in favour or against Australian special forces staying on in Afghanistan to work alongside US special forces in more limited counter-terrorism operations after major combat operations end?
Asked in
- 2012
United States

US soldiers based in Darwin

In November 2011, the Australian Prime Minister and US President announced that up to 2,500 soldiers would be based in Darwin and Northern Australia on a rotating, but permanent basis. Are you personally in favour or against up to 2,500 US soldiers being based in Darwin? Is that strongly or somewhat?
Asked in
- 2012
Security and defence

Australia's involvement in Afghanistan

Is this a valid reason for Australia to remain militarily involved in Afghanistan?
Asked in
- 2011
Security and defence

China's support in war on the Korean peninsula

What if China intervened to support North Korea against South Korea? Would you then personally be in favour or against Australia joining other allies like the United States in sending military forces to defend South Korea against North Korea and China?
Asked in
- 2011
Australian foreign policy

Goals of Australian foreign policy

Thinking about what Australian foreign policy should be trying to achieve, I am going to read a list of goals, and ask you to tell me how important each one is for Australia.
Asked in
- 2011
- 2010
- 2009
- 2008
- 2007
- 2006
- 2005
Security and defence

UN-authorised military intervention

In situations like Libya, are you personally in favour or against the UN Security Council authorising military intervention to try to stop the government from attacking its own citizens?
Asked in
- 2011
Security and defence

War on the Korean peninsula

If North Korea provoked a full-scale war with South Korea would you personally be in favour or against Australia joining other allies like the United States in sending military forces to defend South Korea against North Korea?
Asked in
- 2011
Security and defence

Confidence of aims in Afghanistan

Are you confident that Australia has clear aims in Afghanistan?
Asked in
Security and defence

Nuclear weapons in Australia

Would you be in favour of Australia developing nuclear weapons, if near neighbours began to develop nuclear weapons?
Asked in
- 2010
Security and defence

Threats to Australia's security

Is the Afghan war, instability in Pakistan or the Iranian nuclear program the greatest threat to Australia’s security at the moment?
Asked in
- 2010
Australian foreign policy

Australia's bid for a UNSC seat

Should Australia should seek a temporary seat on the United Nations Security Council?
Asked in
- 2009
Security and defence

Global nuclear disarmament

Do you agree or disagree that global nuclear disarmament should be a top priority for the Australian government?
Asked in
- 2009
Security and defence

Policy responses to Iran's nuclear program

Would you be in favour of or against the following to deal with Iran developing nuclear weapons?
Asked in
- 2009
Security and defence

Goals of military involvement in Afghanistan

Thinking about Australia’s military involvement in Afghanistan, please say which of the following statements most closely reflects your own view. Australia is involved militarily in Afghanistan ...
Asked in
- 2008
- 2007
Climate change and energy

Uranium exports and nuclear waste

Should Australia take responsibility for nuclear waste from its uranium exports?
Asked in
- 2008
Climate change and energy

Uranium exports to signatories of the Non-proliferation Treaty

Should Australia only export uranium to countries that have signed the global Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty?
Asked in
- 2008
Security and defence

Consular assistance in dangerous events

Is it the duty of the Australian government to provide assistance to Australians caught up in dangerous events in another country?
Asked in
- 2007
Security and defence

Consular assistance to dual citizens

If they are citizens of the other country as well as citizens of Australia, is it still the duty of the Australian government to help them?
Asked in
- 2007
Security and defence

Continued military involvement in Iraq

Should Australia continue to be involved militarily in Iraq?
Asked in
- 2007
- 2005
Security and defence

Iran and uranium

Do you think that Iran is producing enriched uranium strictly to fuel its energy needs or do you think it is trying to develop nuclear weapons?
Asked in
- 2007
- 2006
Security and defence

Outlook for Australia's international security

Overall, how optimistic are you about Australia’s international security over the next five years?
Asked in
- 2007
- 2005
Security and defence

Responses to Iran's nuclear program

You said you think that Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons. In your opinion, what is the best response?
Asked in
- 2007
Security and defence

Worry about threats

How worried are you about the following potential threats from the outside world.
Asked in
- 2007
- 2005
Security and defence

Concern about Iran's nuclear weapons

If Iran were to develop nuclear weapons how much, if at all, would that concern you? Not at all, a little, somewhat, very much?
Asked in
- 2006
Security and defence

Outcomes of military involvement in Iraq

I will now read out a number of statements about the Iraq War. Please say whether you agree or disagree with each statement.
Asked in
- 2006
Security and defence

Australia's involvement in Iraq

At the start of the Iraq War did you support or oppose Australia’s military involvement?
Asked in
- 2005
Security and defence

Democracy in the Middle East

Should Australia play an active role in efforts to promote democracy in the Middle East?
Asked in
- 2005
Security and defence

Extraterritorial strikes against terrorists

If we believed that terrorists based in another country were going to launch an attack against Australia, and if the other country could not or would not take action to stop them, should we have the right to strike directly at the terrorists?
Asked in
- 2005
Security and defence

Use of Australian military forces

In what situation should Australia deploy its armed forces?
Asked in
- 2005
Relations with the US and China

War over Taiwan

Should Australia act in accordance with ANZUS even if it means going to war with China over the independence of Taiwan?
Asked in
- 2005

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