The Essential Report Archive Read the latest report

National issues of importance

2 Feb 2010

Q. Do you support or oppose the following –

  Total support Total oppose Strongly support Support Neither support nor oppose Oppose Strongly oppose Don’t know
Australia becoming a republic 41% 32% 22% 19% 23% 12% 20% 4%
Changing the Australian flag 23% 54% 12% 11% 20% 15% 39% 2%
Changing the National Anthem 22% 52% 11% 11% 24% 21% 31% 3%

People were generally split as to whether they support or oppose an Australian republic (41% support/32% oppose).  Just over half oppose both a change to the Australian flag (54%) and changing the national anthem (52%).   There was a substantial proportion that neither support nor oppose changes to each of the measures presented.

People aged 55 years and over were more likely than those in other age groups to strongly oppose/oppose Australia becoming a republic (38%), changing the Australian flag (58%), and changing the national anthem (53%). 

 Labor and Green voters were more likely than Coalition voters to strongly support/support the changes:

  • Australia becoming a republic – 59% Labor, 57% Green v 27% Coalition
  • Changing the Australian flag – 31% Labor, 38% Green v 18% Coalition
  • Changing the National Anthem – 26% Labor, 33% Green v 18% Coalition
Error: