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Lowy Institute Poll 2026 Report

Charles Lyons-Jones undefined
2026 Report

Safety and threats

Feelings of safety

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Feelings of safety

Now about world events, how safe do you feel?

  1. 0%
  2. 25%
  3. 50%
  4. 75%
  5. 100%
2005
30
61
91
2006
30
56
86
2007
40
50
90
2008
35
57
92
2009
44
46
90
2010
42
50
92
2015
24
56
80
2017
20
59
79
2018
18
60
78
2020
4
46
50
2021
6
64
70
2022
6
47
53
2023
6
57
63
2024
5
57
62
2025
5
46
51
2026
4
43
47
  • Very safe
  • Safe

Indicates change in mode.

Threats to Australia’s vital interests

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Threats to Australia’s vital interests

Here is a list of possible threats to the vital interests of Australia in the next ten years. For each one, please select whether you see this as a critical threat, an important but not critical threat, or not an important threat at all.

  1. 0%
  2. 25%
  3. 50%
  4. 75%
  5. 100%
Cyberattacks from other countries
62
37
[object Object]
[object Object]
A severe downturn in the global economy
60
38
[object Object]
[object Object]
International terrorism
59
37
3
[object Object]
The rise of authoritarian systems of government around the world
59
35
5
[object Object]
A military conflict between the United States and China over Taiwan
57
38
4
[object Object]
Conflict in the Middle East
56
40
4
[object Object]
Foreign interference in Australian politics
56
39
4
[object Object]
A breakdown in social cohesion
52
41
6
[object Object]
North Korea’s nuclear program
49
42
9
[object Object]
Climate change
49
32
18
[object Object]
The spread of infectious diseases internationally
45
47
7
[object Object]
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
38
51
11
[object Object]
Antisemitism
35
49
16
[object Object]
  • Critical threat
  • An important but not critical threat
  • Not an important threat at all
  • Don’t know

From 2006–2009, this question asked about ‘global warming’ rather than ‘climate change’. In 2020, this question asked about ‘novel coronavirus (Covid-19) and other potential epidemics’ rather than ‘the spread of infectious diseases internationally’. In 2021–2023, it asked about ‘Covid-19 and other potential epidemics’.

Defence and security

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