Foreign interference

Charts from previous years

• Better party by foreign policy issue

  In 2025, 46% of Australians said the Labor Party would do a better job than the Coalition at when asked about promoting and defending human rights internationally.

  Theme Australian government performance | Asked in

  • 2025
  • 2019
  • 2016
  • 2013

  
• International students in Australia

  In 2025, 49% said there were about the right amount of international students in Australian universities.

  Theme Economy and trade | Asked in

  • 2025
  • 2020

  
• Australian prime ministers and foreign policy

  In 2023, 59% of Australians said a reasonable job when asked about Malcolm Turnbull.

  Theme Australian government performance | Asked in

  • 2023
  • 2016

  
• Foreign influence in Australian politics

  In 2022, 86% were concerned about the influence of China on Australia’s political processes.

  Theme Defence and security | Asked in

  • 2022
  • 2020
  • 2018

  
• Coalition government report card

  In 2021, respondents gave an average rating of 7.6 for managing Australia’s response to Covid-19.

  Theme Australian government performance | Asked in

  • 2021
  • 2015

  
• Foreign investment by country

  In 2021, 92% of Australians said opposed when asked about China.

  Theme Economy and trade | Asked in

  • 2021
  • 2008

  
• Attitudes to China

  In 2019, 79% disagree China’s infrastructure investment projects across Asia are part of China’s plan for regional domination.

  Theme China | Asked in

  • 2019
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2011
  • 2010
  • and 1 more

  
• Attitudes to immigration

  In 2019, 71% disagreed Australian cities are already too crowded.

  Theme Immigration and refugees | Asked in

  • 2019
  • 2016

  
• Chinese investment in Australia

  In 2019, 68% said the Australian government is allowing too much investment from China.

  Theme China | Asked in

  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • and 4 more

  
• Foreign technology in Australia

  In 2019, 44% said protecting Australians from foreign state intrusion should be the first priority for the Australian government.

  Theme Defence and security | Asked in

  • 2019

  
• Reasons to view China as a threat

  In 2018, 77% said agree when asked about China and the United States are likely to come into conflict in future and Australia will end up being drawn into the conflict through its alliance with the United States.

  Theme China | Asked in

  • 2018
  • 2011

  
• Terrorism as a threat to Australia’s interests

  In 2018, 62% said strongly agree when asked about terrorism is a threat to global security as well as Australia’s.

  Theme Defence and security | Asked in

  • 2018

  
• Foreign acquisitions of farmland

  In 2016, 69% of Australians said strongly against.

  Theme Economy and trade | Asked in

  • 2016
  • 2012

  
• Foreign investment in Australian real estate

  In 2015, 50% of Australians said allowing too much investment when asked about Middle East.

  Theme Economy and trade | Asked in

  • 2015

  
• Foreign investment by sector

  In 2014, 61% of Australians said against when asked about agriculture.

  Theme Economy and trade | Asked in

  • 2014

  
• Reasons for reducing immigration

  In 2014, 88% of Australians said major reason when asked about we should train our own skilled people, not take them from other countries.

  Theme Immigration and refugees | Asked in

  • 2014

  
• Views on Wikileaks

  In 2013, 58% of Australians said more of a good thing.

  Theme Defence and security | Asked in

  • 2013
  • 2011

  
• China as the leading power in Asia

  In 2012, 79% of Australians said already is the leading power.

  Theme China | Asked in

  • 2012

  
• Comfort with China leading Asia

  In 2012, 41% of Australians said somewhat comfortable.

  Theme China | Asked in

  • 2012
  • 2009
  • 2008

  
• Reasons against foreign investment from China

  In 2012, 96% said agree when asked about China is seeking to buy Australian mining and agricultural companies and these need to be kept in Australian hands.

  Theme China | Asked in

  • 2012

  
• Reasons for reducing Chinese investment

  In 2012, 96% said agree when asked about China is seeking to buy Australian mining and agricultural companies and these need to be kept in Australian hands.

  Theme China | Asked in

  • 2012

  
• Performance of the Rudd Government

  In 2010, respondents gave an average rating of 7.2 for maintaining a strong alliance with the United States.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2010

  
• Australia’s influence under the Rudd Government

  In 2009, 35% of Australians said partly agree.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2009

  
• Foreign investment and Australian regulation

  In 2008, 61% said strongly agree when asked about investment in Australia by companies controlled by foreign governments should be more strictly regulated than investment by foreign private investors.

  Theme Economy and trade | Asked in

  • 2008

  
• International reputation after election

  In 2008, 46% of Australians said stayed the same.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2008

  
• Trade policy and foreign investment

  In 2008, 49% said strongly agree when asked about the government has a responsibility to ensure major Australian companies are kept in majority Australian control.

  Theme Economy and trade | Asked in

  • 2008