Australian foreign policy

Charts from previous years

• Australia’s foreign policy priorities

  In 2022, 43% said focusing on Australia’s region, including Asia and the Pacific.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2022

  
• Potential Chinese military base in the Pacific

  In 2023, 45% of Australians were somewhat concerned about about China potentially opening a military base in a Pacific Islands country.

  Theme China | Asked in

  • 2023
  • 2022

  
• Better foreign policy prime minister

  In 2025, 41% said Anthony Albanese would be more competent than Peter Dutton at handling Australia’s foreign policy.

  Theme Australian government performance | Asked in

  • 2025

  
• 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

  
• 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

  
• Australia–China relations

  In 2024, 47% said Australia’s relationship with China was quite bad.

  Theme Relations in the Indo-Pacific | Asked in

  • 2024

  
• Australia’s best friend in Asia

  In 2024, 42% said Japan was Australia’s best friend in Asia.

  Theme Global powers and world leaders | Asked in

  • 2024
  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2016
  • 2014

  
• 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

  
• Support for free trade

  In 2024, 80% of Australians said free trade was good for their own standard of living.

  Theme Economy and trade | Asked in

  • 2024
  • 2022
  • 2019
  • 2017

  
• 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

  
• Budget priorities

  In 2023, 85% of Australians would increase spending for health if they were making up the budget for the federal government.

  Theme Australian government performance | Asked in

  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2019

  
• Potential military conflict between China and the United States

  In 2023, 56% believe Australia should remain neutral in the event of a military conflict between China and United States.

  Theme Defence and security | Asked in

  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021

  
• Australia’s best friend in the world

  In 2022, 57% said New Zealand was Australia’s best friend in the world.

  Theme Global powers and world leaders | Asked in

  • 2022
  • 2019
  • 2017
  • 2014

  
• 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

  
• Globalisation

  In 2022, 73% believed globalisation was mostly good for Australia.

  Theme Economy and trade | Asked in

  • 2022
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2017
  • 2009
  • and 2 more

  
• Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

  In 2022, 69% of Australians were very concerned about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

  Theme Defence and security | Asked in

  • 2022

  
• Use of Australian military forces

  In 2022, 79% were in favour of using Australian military forces to stop a government from committing genocide and killing large numbers of its own people.

  Theme Defence and security | Asked in

  • 2022
  • 2019
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2005

  
• Attending the Winter Olympics in China

  In 2021, 51% of Australians said yes, should attend.

  Theme China | Asked in

  • 2021

  
• 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 place in the world

  In 2021, 62% of Australians said Oceania.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2021
  • 2010

  
• Australia’s reputation overseas

  In 2021, 75% said positive when asked about Australia’s diplomatic service.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2021

  
• Australian media reporting about China

  In 2021, 61% of Australians said fair and balanced.

  Theme China | Asked in

  • 2021

  
• Border closures for Australians

  In 2021, 41% said only Australians granted special exemptions should be allowed to leave.

  Theme Covid-19 pandemic | Asked in

  • 2021

  
• Bringing Australians home

  In 2021, 59% of Australians said about the right amount.

  Theme Covid-19 pandemic | Asked in

  • 2021

  
• Climate change efforts by country

  In 2021, 82% of Australians said too little in their effort to combat climate change.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2021

  
• 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

  
• Costs and benefits of climate change action

  In 2021, 74% of Australians said the benefits of taking further action on climate change will outweigh the costs.

  Theme Climate change and energy | Asked in

  • 2021

  
• Foreign aid for Covid-19 vaccines

  In 2021, 83% of Australians said in favour when asked about pacific Island countries.

  Theme Covid-19 pandemic | Asked in

  • 2021

  
• Good relations with the US and China

  In 2021, 72% of Australians said yes, possible.

  Theme Relations in the Indo-Pacific | Asked in

  • 2021
  • 2018
  • 2013

  
• Tensions in the Australia-China relationship

  In 2021, 56% of Australians said China is more to blame.

  Theme China | Asked in

  • 2021

  
• Australian values and foreign policy

  In 2020, 60% of Australians said democratic values were more important when dealing with international problems.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2020
  • 2007

  
• 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

  
• 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

  
• 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

  
• Relations with superpowers

  In 2019, 50% said the Australian government should put a higher priority on maintaining strong relations with the United States, even if this might harm our relations with China.

  Theme Relations in the Indo-Pacific | Asked in

  • 2019

  
• Joint military action under President Trump

  In 2018, 48% of Australians said less likely.

  Theme United States | Asked in

  • 2018
  • 2016

  
• Satisfaction with the direction of the world

  In 2018, 78% of Australians said dissatisfied.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2018
  • 2017

  
• 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

  
• Freedom of navigation in the South China Sea

  In 2017, 68% of Australians said in favour.

  Theme China | Asked in

  • 2017
  • 2016

  
• Future intervention in Pacific

  In 2017, 81% of Australians said intervene to provide military and humanitarian support.

  Theme Australia and the Pacific | Asked in

  • 2017

  
• Reasons for unfavourable opinions of the US

  In 2017, 84% of Australians said no when asked about americans you have met.

  Theme United States | Asked in

  • 2017
  • 2007

  
• Australia’s role in the world

  In 2016, 50% said Australia should mind its own business in international affairs and concentrate more on our own national problems.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2016

  
• Importance of Indonesia to Australia

  In 2016, 50% of Australians said somewhat important.

  Theme Indonesia | Asked in

  • 2016

  
• Important issues facing Australia

  In 2016, 88% of Australians said a very important issue when asked about education.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2016

  
• 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

  
• 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 role in international institutions

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

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2015

  
• Data retention legislation and privacy

  In 2015, 63% of Australians said justified.

  Theme Defence and security | 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

  
• Australia’s bilateral relationships

  In 2014, 51% of Australians said staying about the same when asked about Indonesia.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2014
  • 2008
  • 2006

  
• Australia’s population

  In 2014, 42% of Australians said when asked about 30 million people.

  Theme Immigration and refugees | Asked in

  • 2014
  • 2010

  
• Australian government agencies

  In 2014, 84% said very important when asked about the Australian Defence force.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2014

  
• Female leaders in the world

  In 2014, 61% of Australians said it would make no difference.

  Theme Global powers and world leaders | Asked in

  • 2014

  
• Influence of female leaders in the world

  In 2014, 53% of Australians said disagree when asked about the world would be more prosperous.

  Theme Global powers and world leaders | Asked in

  • 2014

  
• Australia after the UN Security Council

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

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2013

  
• Australia and the Anglosphere

  In 2013, 30% of Australians said somewhat in favour.

  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

  
• Australian policy towards Asia

  In 2013, 59% of Australians said about the right amount of emphasis on Asia.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2013

  
• Australian responses to Asia’s growth

  In 2013, 60% said very important when asked about do more to assist Australian businesses to succeed in Asian markets.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2013
  • 2012

  
• Government spending on defence

  In 2013, 47% of Australians said the government is spending about the right amount on defence.

  Theme Defence and security | Asked in

  • 2013

  
• Sources of international news

  In 2013, 70% of Australians said never when asked about pay TV.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2013
  • 2009

  
• Australia and New Zealand merger

  In 2012, 37% of Australians said bad for both.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2012

  
• Economic integration with New Zealand

  In 2012, 68% of Australians said about right.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2012

  
• Importance of positive views of Australia

  In 2012, 68% of Australians said very important.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2012

  
• Joint Australian and New Zealand dollar

  In 2012, 54% of Australians said oppose.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | 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

  
• Similarities between Australia and New Zealand

  In 2012, 64% of Australians said the same.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2012

  
• 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

  
• The influence of the ‘West’

  In 2011, 47% of Australians said increased.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2011

  
• Australia’s bilateral relationships under the Rudd government

  In 2010, 59% of Australians said about the same when asked about Japan.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2010

  
• Government attention paid to public opinion

  In 2010, 69% of Australians said too little.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2010

  
• Indian student attacks

  In 2010, 46% of Australians said damaged a little.

  Theme Immigration and refugees | Asked in

  • 2010

  
• Morality of Australian foreign policy

  In 2010, 57% of Australians said about average.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2010

  
• Nuclear weapons in Australia

  In 2010, 63% of Australians said strongly against.

  Theme Defence and security | Asked in

  • 2010

  
• 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 bid for a UNSC seat

  In 2009, 51% of Australians said strongly agree.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2009

  
• Australia’s influence in the world

  In 2009, 52% of Australians said not in the top 10 but among the top 20.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2009

  
• Australia’s influence under the Rudd Government

  In 2009, 35% of Australians said partly agree.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | 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

  
• International reputation after election

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

  Theme Australian foreign policy | 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

  
• US elections and Australia’s interests

  In 2008, 45% of Australians said some difference.

  Theme United States | Asked in

  • 2008

  
• Opinions of Americans

  In 2007, 57% of Australians said somewhat favourable.

  Theme United States | Asked in

  • 2007

  
• Opinions of the United States

  In 2007, 46% of Australians said somewhat favourable.

  Theme United States | Asked in

  • 2007

  
• Outlook for Australia’s international security

  In 2007, 48% of Australians said optimistic.

  Theme Defence and security | Asked in

  • 2007
  • 2005

  
• Australia’s role in world affairs

  In 2006, 82% of Australians said active part.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2006

  
• Global powers and influence in Asia

  In 2006, respondents gave China an average rating of 7.5.

  Theme Global powers and world leaders | Asked in

  • 2006

  
• Global powers and influence in the world

  In 2006, respondents gave the European Union an average rating of 6.6.

  Theme Global powers and world leaders | Asked in

  • 2006

  
• News about foreign relations

  In 2006, 50% of Australians said very interested.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2006

  
• 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

  
• Characteristics of Australia

  In 2005, 82% of Australians said agree when asked about a good international citizen.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2005

  
• Impact of foreign policy on everyday life

  In 2005, 40% of Australians said some.

  Theme Australian foreign policy | Asked in

  • 2005