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Perceptions of Tony Abbott

16 Oct 2012

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.

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