2024 observation
Almost two years into the Labor government’s term in office, Australians were asked to give a score out of ten for its handling of a number of issues. Once again, Australians awarded the government its highest mark for ‘maintaining a strong alliance with the United States’ (6.6 out of 10).
Australians were moderately positive about the government’s management of relations with the Pacific Islands (5.8) and Southeast Asia (5.7).
On the question of the government ‘maintaining a capable defence force’, Australians were slightly less positive (5.3), as they were on its management of the relationship with China (5.3) — down from 5.8 in 2023, notwithstanding the re-engagement between the two governments. The government received an average score (5.0) for management of the economy, down from 5.7 last year.
Australians marked the government hardest on ‘responding to the Israel–Hamas war’ (4.2), ‘managing Australia’s approach to climate change’ (4.8), and ‘promoting and defending human rights internationally’ (4.9).
In 2021, the last time this question was asked of a Coalition government, Australians also awarded the highest marks for maintaining the US alliance (7.1). The then Coalition government scored a higher rating than the current Labor government for managing Australia’s economy (6.6), and slightly lower ratings for managing the relationship with China (5.1) and Australia’s approach to climate change (4.6).