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  • Oct, 2012

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    Importance of online media for news and information

    Q. How important are the following online media to you personally for news and information?

     

    Total very/quite important

    Very important

    Quiet important

    A little important

    Not important

    Can’t say

    Google

    52%

    24%

    28%

    26%

    19%

    3%

    Newspaper websites

    43%

    17%

    26%

    29%

    24%

    4%

    Other news websites

    41%

    14%

    27%

    29%

    27%

    4%

    Facebook

    28%

    13%

    15%

    23%

    48%

    2%

    Websites about social and political campaigns

    16%

    4%

    12%

    21%

    57%

    6%

    Blogs

    12%

    3%

    9%

    21%

    62%

    6%

    Twitter

    9%

    3%

    6%

    8%

    75%

    8%

    Google is the most important source of news and information (52% very/quite important). Although Facebook tends to be used more frequently, it is not as important as news websites for news and information.

    Google is more important to – aged 18-24 (71% very/quite important), aged 25-34 (59%) and incomes over $1,600 pw (57%).

    Newspaper websites are more important to – aged 25-34 (54% very/quite important) and incomes over $1,000 pw (51%).

    Other news websites are more important to – aged 25-34 (50% very/quite important).

    Facebook is more important to – aged 18-24 (51% very/quite important) and aged 25-34 (43%).

    Websites about social and political campaigns are more important to – aged 18-24 (23% very/quite important), aged 25-34 (25%) and Greens voters (33%).

    Blogs are more important to – aged 18-24 (19% very/quite important), aged 25-34 (21%) and Greens voters (23%).

    Twitter is more important to – aged 18-24 (17% very/quite important) and aged 25-34 (20%).

  • Oct, 2012

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    Federal politics – voting intention

    Q. If a Federal Election was held today to which party will you probably give your first preference vote? If not sure, which party are you currently leaning toward?

    Q. If don’t know -Well which party are you currently leaning to?

    Sample size = 1,888 respondents

    First preference/leaning to

    Election

    21 Aug 10

    4 weeks ago

    24/9/12

    2 weeks ago

    8/10/12

    Last week

    15/10/12

    This week

    22/10/12

    Liberal

    45%

    44%

    44%

    44%

    National

    3%

    3%

    3%

    3%

    Total Lib/Nat

    43.6%

    48%

    47%

    47%

    47%

    Labor

    38.0%

    35%

    37%

    36%

    36%

    Greens

    11.8%

    9%

    9%

    9%

    9%

    Other/Independent

    6.6%

    9%

    7%

    8%

    7%

     

    2PP

    Election

    21 Aug 10

    4 weeks ago

    2 weeks ago

    Last week

    This week

    Total Lib/Nat

    49.9%

    55%

    53%

    53%

    53%

    Labor

    50.1%

    45%

    47%

    47%

    47%

    NB.  The data in the above tables comprise 2-week averages derived from the first preference/leaning to voting questions.  Respondents who select ‘don’t know’ are not included in the results.  The two-party preferred estimate is calculated by distributing the votes of the other parties according to their preferences at the 2010 election. These estimates have a confidence interval of approx. plus or minus 2-3%.

  • Oct, 2012

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    Trust in organisations and institutions

    Q. How much trust do you have in the following institutions and organisations?

     

    Total

    trust

    26 Sep 11

    Total

    trust

    12 Jun 12

    Total trust

    22 Oct 12

    A lot of trust

    Some trust

    A little trust

    No trust

    Don’t know

    % change

    The High Court

    72%

    60%

    63%

    26%

    37%

    21%

    10%

    6%

    +3

    The ABC

    46%

    54%

    59%

    20%

    39%

    26%

    8%

    6%

    +5

    The Reserve Bank

    67%

    49%

    53%

    16%

    37%

    28%

    12%

    8%

    +4

    Charitable organisations

    61%

    50%

    53%

    9%

    44%

    33%

    10%

    5%

    +3

    Environment groups

    45%

    32%

    36%

    8%

    28%

    35%

    24%

    6%

    +4

    The Commonwealth Public Service

      49%*

    30%

    33%

    6%

    27%

    41%

    16%

    10%

    +3

    Your local council

    na

    na

    32%

    4%

    28%

    39%

    22%

    6%

    na

    Religious organisations

    29%

    27%

    31%

    7%

    24%

    28%

    35%

    6%

    +4

    Newspapers

    na

    26%

    31%

    4%

    27%

    45%

    20%

    4%

    +5

    Online news media

    na

    23%

    28%

    4%

    24%

    45%

    20%

    6%

    +5

    TV news media

    na

    21%

    26%

    5%

    21%

    44%

    26%

    4%

    +5

    Federal Parliament

    55%

    22%

    26%

    4%

    22%

    37%

    32%

    5%

    +4

    State Parliament

    na

    na

    25%

    4%

    21%

    37%

    33%

    5%

    na

    Business groups

    38%

    22%

    25%

    3%

    22%

    45%

    21%

    9%

    +3

    Trade unions

    39%

    22%

    23%

    5%

    18%

    32%

    36%

    9%

    +1

    Political parties

    na

    12%

    16%

    2%

    14%

    36%

    42%

    6%

    +4

    Note: ‘Total Trust’ is an aggregate figure achieved by adding ‘A lot of trust’ and ‘Some trust’.
    * This Commonwealth Public Service figure is from a question asked in 6 Feb 12.

    Overall, there have been small increases in trust across all organisations since this question was last asked in June. However, there has been no significant change in the rankings.

    Respondents had most trust in the High Court (63%), the ABC (59%), charitable organisations (53%) and the Reserve Bank (53%). They had least trust in political parties (16%), trade unions (23%), business groups (25%) State Parliaments (25%), Federal Parliament (26%) and TV news media (26%).

    Compared to the average, Labor voters had more trust in Federal Parliament (40%), the High Court (67%), the ABC (68%), the Reserve Bank (61%), the Commonwealth Public Service (42%), trade unions (41%), environment groups (48%) and local councils (39%).

    Liberal/National voters, compared to the average, had more trust in religious organisations (37%) and business groups (32%) but less trust in Federal Parliament (21%), Commonwealth Public Service (28%), trade unions (14%) and environment groups (27%).

  • Oct, 2012

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    Sexism and discrimination against women

    Q. How much sexism and discrimination against women do you think currently occurs in the following?

     

    A lot

    Some

    A little

    None at all

    Don’t know

    A lot/some TOTAL

    A lot/some MEN

    A lot/some WOMEN

    In workplaces

    17%

    38%

    32%

    6%

    7%

    55%

    49%

    62%

    In the media

    19%

    37%

    29%

    9%

    7%

    56%

    49%

    62%

    In politics

    25%

    36%

    25%

    8%

    7%

    61%

    55%

    67%

    In advertising

    31%

    28%

    26%

    8%

    7%

    59%

    50%

    67%

    In sport

    24%

    34%

    25%

    10%

    7%

    58%

    50%

    66%

    In schools

    12%

    31%

    33%

    14%

    10%

    43%

    39%

    48%

    A majority of respondents think there is a lot or some sexism in politics (61%), advertising (59%), sport (58%), the media (56%) and workplaces (55%).

    Women were more likely to think there is a lot or some sexism in all areas – but especially advertising (men 50%/women 67%) and sport (50%/66%).

    37% of women think there is a lot of sexism/discrimination in advertising, 31% in sport and 29% in politics.

  • Oct, 2012

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    Pressure on women over behaviour and appearance

    Q. Do you think women face more or less pressure over their behavior and appearance than they did 20 years ago?

     

    Total

    Men

    Women

    Aged 18-34

    Aged 35-54

    Aged 55+

    Total more

    49%

    39%

    58%

    56%

    44%

    48%

    Total less

    30%

    37%

    25%

    27%

    33%

    30%

    A lot more

    24%

    14%

    34%

    24%

    23%

    27%

    A little more

    25%

    25%

    24%

    32%

    21%

    21%

    A little less

    15%

    16%

    14%

    17%

    15%

    13%

    A lot less

    15%

    20%

    11%

    10%

    18%

    17%

    About the same

    16%

    17%

    14%

    9%

    19%

    19%

    Don’t know

    5%

    7%

    3%

    8%

    4%

    3%

    49% of respondents believe that women face more pressure over their behavior and appearance than they did 20 years ago and 30% think they face less pressure.

    58% of women and 56% of people aged under 35 think there is more pressure on women.

    By voting intention, 56% of Labor voters think there is more pressure compared to 52% of Greens voters and 45% of Liberal/National voters.

  • Oct, 2012

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    Personally experienced/witness sexism/discrimination

    Q. Over the last 12 months, have you been subjected to or witnessed sexism or discrimination against women in your workplace?

     

    Total

    Men

    Women

    Aged 18-34

    Aged 35-54

    Aged 55+

    Yes – have been subjected to sexism/discrimination

    7%

    3%

    11%

    11%

    7%

    2%

    Yes – have witnessed sexism/discrimination

    13%

    13%

    13%

    19%

    14%

    3%

    Total subjected to or witnessed

    17%

    15%

    18%

    25%

    18%

    5%

    No

    61%

    67%

    55%

    61%

    68%

    49%

    Don’t work

    19%

    14%

    25%

    9%

    11%

    45%

    Not sure

    3%

    4%

    2%

    5%

    3%

    1%

    17% of respondents say they have been subjected to or witnessed sexism/discrimination in the workplace.

    11% of women say they have personally been subjected to sexism/discrimination in the workplace. Excluding those who don’t work, 15% of female workers say they have been subjected to sexism/discrimination in their workplace.

  • Oct, 2012

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    Perceptions of Tony Abbott

    Q. Thinking about the leader of the Opposition, Tony Abbott, please indicate yes or no for each of the following statements:

     

    Total

    Vote
    Labor

    Vote
    Lib/Nat

    Vote
    Greens

    Men

    Women

    Has the right temperament to be Prime Minister

    42%

    13%

    77%

    10%

    44%

    39%

    Would be embarrassing as Prime Minister of Australia

    50%

    78%

    19%

    83%

    49%

    50%

    Is someone that can effectively represent Australia’s interests

    43%

    11%

    82%

    8%

    45%

    40%

    Will serve my interests as Prime Minister

    39%

    7%

    81%

    6%

    42%

    37%

    Is too influenced by their religious beliefs

    40%

    62%

    19%

    73%

    43%

    38%

    Is the best person to lead their party

    33%

    10%

    62%

    7%

    36%

    30%

    Is someone that understands the challenges facing Australian women

    39%

    10%

    74%

    5%

    42%

    36%

    Has good parental leave policies

    44%

    17%

    76%

    19%

    45%

    42%

    Has difficulty controlling their aggression

    44%

    68%

    19%

    73%

    45%

    44%

    Exactly half the respondents agree that Tony Abbott would be embarrassing as Prime Minister of Australia. On all other statements he scored less than 50%. His main negatives were that only 33% agree he is the best person to lead their party, 39% agree he will serve my interests as Prime Minister and 39% agree he is someone that understands the challenges facing Australian women.

    The main differences by gender were on the statements that he is someone that understands the challenges facing Australian women (men 42%/women 36%), the best person to lead their party (36%/30%), has the right temperament to be Prime Minister (44%/39%), can effectively represent Australia’s interests (45%/40%), will serve my interests as Prime Minister (42%/37%) and too influenced by their religious beliefs (43%/38%). On each of these statements women scored Tony Abbott lower than men did.

  • Oct, 2012

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    Perceptions of Julia Gillard

    Q. Thinking about the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, please indicate yes or no for each of the following statements:

     

    Total

    Vote

    Labor

    Vote

    Lib/Nat

    Vote

    Greens

    Men

    Women

    Has the right temperament to be Prime Minister

    58%

    86%

    36%

    83%

    54%

    62%

    Is embarrassing as Prime Minister of Australia

    43%

    17%

    67%

    18%

    46%

    40%

    Is someone that can effectively represent Australia’s interests

    46%

    82%

    20%

    67%

    45%

    46%

    Serves my interests as Prime Minister

    36%

    76%

    11%

    47%

    35%

    37%

    Is too influenced by their religious beliefs

    16%

    12%

    19%

    15%

    18%

    14%

    Is the best person to lead their party

    36%

    64%

    18%

    44%

    33%

    39%

    Is someone that understands the challenges facing Australian women

    62%

    87%

    44%

    84%

    60%

    63%

    Has good parental leave policies

    53%

    73%

    42%

    59%

    52%

    54%

    Has difficulty controlling their aggression

    25%

    12%

    38%

    8%

    29%

    22%

    More half the respondents agreed that Julia Gillard understands the challenges facing Australian women (62%), has the right temperament to be Prime Minister (58%) and has good parental leave policies (53%). Her main negatives were that only 36% agree she is the best person to lead their party and 36% agree she will serve my interests as Prime Minister.

    The main differences by gender were on the statements that she is someone that has the right temperament to be Prime Minister (men 54%/women 62%), has difficulty controlling their aggression (29%/22%), is embarrassing as Prime Minister of Australia (46%/40%) and is the best person to lead their party (33%/39%).

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