United Nations

Charts from previous years

• Potential federal government policies on climate change

  In 2025, 82% of Australians said they would support providing subsidies for the development of renewable energy technologies.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2025
  • 2024
  • 2022
  • 2021

  
• Energy policy priorities

  In 2024, 48% of Australians said the main priority should be reducing household energy bills.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2024
  • 2021
  • 2019

  
• Australia’s approach to international climate change negotiations

  In 2021, 70% said Australia should join other countries, such as the United Kingdom and the United States, to increase its commitments to address climate change.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2021

  
• Australia’s climate policies and reputation

  In 2020, 31% said Australia’s approach to climate change had had a somewhat negative effect on its relationship with Pacific Islands countries.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2020

  
• Domestic interests and global cooperation

  In 2020, 66% said the Australian government should prioritise domestic interests over global agreements when trying to address global problems.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2020

  
• Global cooperation during crises

  In 2020, 53% of Australians said the coronavirus outbreak made them think more global cooperation was needed during international crises.

  Theme Covid-19 pandemic | Asked in

  • 2020

  
• Military action under ANZUS

  In 2020, 52% said somewhat agree when asked about despite the alliance, Australia should only support US military action if it is authorised by the United Nations.

  Theme United States | Asked in

  • 2020
  • 2013

  
• Australia in the Pacific

  In 2019, 77% agreed Australia has a moral obligation to help the Pacific.

  Theme Australia and the Pacific | Asked in

  • 2019

  
• Renewables and energy supply

  In 2018, 84% of Australians said the government should focus on renewables, even if we need to invest more in infrastructure to make the system more reliable.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2018
  • 2017

  
• Air strikes against Islamic State

  In 2016, 59% of Australians said in favour.

  Theme Defence and security | Asked in

  • 2016

  
• Attitudes to fossil fuels

  In 2016, 88% said agree when asked about the use of fossil fuels is in decline around the world and Australia should invest more in alternative energy sources or risk being left behind.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2016

  
• Australia’s humanitarian policy options

  In 2016, 65% said disagree when asked about Australia’s refugee intake should favour Christians and other religions over Muslims.

  Theme Immigration and refugees | Asked in

  • 2016

  
• Direct action or emissions trading scheme

  In 2016, 53% of Australians said continue the Governments Direct Action plan which pays businesses for emissions reduction projects.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2016
  • 2015

  
• Kevin Rudd as UN SG candidate

  In 2016, 49% of Australians said no, he would not be a good Secretary-General.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2016

  
• Kevin Rudd as United Nations Secretary General

  In 2016, 49% of Australians said no, he would not be a good Secretary-General.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2016

  
• Military action against Islamic State in Iraq

  In 2016, 68% of Australians said in favour.

  Theme Defence and security | Asked in

  • 2016

  
• Admiration for world leaders

  In 2015, 70% of Australians said don’t know / no view when asked about Narendra Modi.

  Theme Global powers and world leaders | Asked in

  • 2015
  • 2014

  
• Australia in the G20 and UNSC

  In 2015, 62% of Australians said worth the effort and cost.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2015

  
• Australia’s approach to multilateral climate negotiations

  In 2015, 63% of Australians said should commit to significant emissions reductions to encourage other countries.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2015

  
• Australia’s role in international institutions

  In 2015, 62% of Australians said worth the effort and cost.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2015

  
• Global abolition of the death penalty

  In 2015, 51% of Australians said should play an active role.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2015

  
• Government responses to the execution of Australians overseas

  In 2015, 73% of Australians said agree when asked about make private diplomatic protests.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2015

  
• Asylum seeker policy

  In 2014, 71% of Australians said agree when asked about the government should turn back boats when it is safe to do so.

  Theme Immigration and refugees | Asked in

  • 2014

  
• Leadership or consensus role on climate action

  In 2014, 63% of Australians said it should be taking a leadership role on reducing emissions.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2014

  
• Attention on the asylum seeker issue

  In 2013, 54% of Australians said too much attention when asked about by media.

  Theme Immigration and refugees | Asked in

  • 2013

  
• Australia after the UN Security Council

  In 2013, 53% of Australians said a little more influence.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2013

  
• Australia in the UN Security Council

  In 2013, 59% said good for Australia.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2013

  
• Emissions Trading Scheme legislation

  In 2013, 41% of Australians said strongly against.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2013
  • 2012

  
• Removal of Emissions Trading Scheme

  In 2013, 37% of Australians said strongly in favour.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2013
  • 2012

  
• Unauthorised asylum seekers

  In 2013, 51% of Australians said very concerned.

  Theme Immigration and refugees | Asked in

  • 2013
  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009

  
• Views of offshore processing

  In 2013, 34% of Australians said strongly in favour.

  Theme Immigration and refugees | Asked in

  • 2013

  
• Criteria for new migrants

  In 2012, 70% of Australians said not important when asked about their race.

  Theme Immigration and refugees | Asked in

  • 2012

  
• Importance of human rights in Australia

  In 2012, 95% of Australians said strongly agree when asked about the right to a fair trial.

  Theme Democracy | Asked in

  • 2012

  
• Important criteria for new migrants

  In 2012, 34% said having similar values to Australians.

  Theme Immigration and refugees | Asked in

  • 2012

  
• Reasons for opposing an emissions trading scheme

  In 2012, 83% of Australians said agree when asked about it will result in job losses.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2012

  
• Restarting dialogue with Fiji

  In 2012, 51% of Australians said somewhat in favour.

  Theme Australia and the Pacific | Asked in

  • 2012

  
• Arguments about unauthorised asylum seekers

  In 2011, 92% said agree when asked about it is dangerous for unauthorised asylum seekers to come to Australia by boat as they might be badly injured or killed during the boat trip.

  Theme Immigration and refugees | Asked in

  • 2011

  
• Goals of Australian foreign policy

  In 2011, 81% said very important when asked about protecting the jobs of Australian workers.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • and 2 more

  
• UN-authorised military intervention

  In 2011, 82% of Australians said in favour.

  Theme Defence and security | Asked in

  • 2011

  
• Approach to Fiji sanctions

  In 2010, 56% of Australians said keep existing limited travel sanctions.

  Theme Australia and the Pacific | Asked in

  • 2010

  
• Reduction of emissions ahead of global agreement

  In 2010, 44% of Australians said strongly agree.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2010

  
• Australia’s bid for a UNSC seat

  In 2009, 51% of Australians said strongly agree.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2009

  
• Global nuclear disarmament

  In 2009, 55% of Australians said strongly agree.

  Theme Defence and security | Asked in

  • 2009

  
• US and UN influence on Australian foreign policy

  In 2009, 50% of Australians said too much when asked about the United States.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2006
  • 2005

  
• Effectiveness of Kyoto Protocol

  In 2008, 64% said Australia’s ratification of the Kyoto Protocol has not solved the problem of climate change but helpful.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2008

  
• Japanese whaling

  In 2008, 58% said the Australian government should do more to pressure Japan to stop all whaling even if we risk losing valuable trade deals.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2008

  
• Uranium exports and nuclear waste

  In 2008, 32% said strongly disagree when asked about take responsibility for the nuclear waste from the uranium it exports by storing it in Australia.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2008

  
• Uranium exports to signatories of the Non-proliferation Treaty

  In 2008, 53% of Australians said strongly agree when asked about only export uranium to countries which have signed the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2008

  
• Declining US economic power

  In 2007, 50% of Australians said mainly negative.

  Theme United States | Asked in

  • 2007

  
• Declining US political power

  In 2007, 49% of Australians said mainly positive.

  Theme United States | Asked in

  • 2007

  
• Australia’s compliance with international law

  In 2005, 64% of Australians said even though decisions might go against us.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2005

  
• Extraterritorial strikes against terrorists

  In 2005, 66% of Australians said yes.

  Theme Defence and security | Asked in

  • 2005