Foreign influence in Australian politics

+19 from 2018

In 2020, 82% were concerned about the influence of China on Australia’s political processes.

Question 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?

Responses from 2020.

  1. 60%
  2. 40%
  3. 20%
  4. 0%
  5. 20%
  6. 40%
  7. 60%
  8. 80%
  9. 100%
China
18
82
United States
39
61

In 2020, this question was fielded in a separate Lowy Institute nationwide poll in November 2020: see 2021 Methodology for more information.

  • No, not concerned
  • Yes, concerned
Total
All groups

2022 observation

Many Australians continue to express concern about foreign influence on the country’s political processes. Eight in ten Australians (86%) say they are concerned about China’s influence on Australia’s political processes, a four-point increase from 2020, and 23 points higher than the level of concern expressed in 2018. Fewer Australians, though still a majority (54%), express concern about the influence of the United States on Australia’s political processes, a seven-point decline since 2020.