Defence and security
102 questions match this theme. View the archive for more.
Defence and security
Defence spending
Now thinking about Australia’s defence capabilities. Australia currently spends about 2% of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) on defence. Taking into account global circumstances, do you think Australia should:
Defence and security
Acquiring nuclear-powered submarines
Are you in favour or against Australia acquiring nuclear-powered submarines?
Defence and security
Australia’s response to the war in Ukraine
Thinking about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, would you support or oppose Australia:
Defence and security
Willingness to defend Australia
If Australia were attacked directly by the military of another country, and you were physically capable of doing so, would you be willing to fight to defend Australia?
Relations in the Indo-Pacific
China as a military threat
Do you think it is likely or unlikely that China will become a military threat to Australia in the next 20 years?
Relations in the Indo-Pacific
China: Australian policy settings
For each of the following, please indicate whether you think Australia should be doing more, less, or about the same as now:
Relations in the Indo-Pacific
China: economic partner or security threat
In your own view, is China more of an economic partner or more of a security threat to Australia?
Safety and threats
Threats to Australia’s vital interests
Do you see the following possible threat as a critical threat, an important but not critical threat, or not an important threat to Australia’s vital interests in the next ten years?
Relations in the Indo-Pacific
United States’ defence of Australia
Do you think the United States would or would not come to Australia’s defence if Australia were attacked by the military of another country?
Relations in the Indo-Pacific
US alliance: importance to Australia’s security
How important is our alliance relationship with the United States for Australia’s security?
Questions from previous years
Australian government performance
Labor government report card
Now thinking about Australian politics. What mark out of ten would you personally give the Labor government in Canberra for its performance in handling each of the following issues — with 10 meaning it has done an excellent job, 5 an average job and 0 a very poor job?
Defence and security
Preference for closer security relations
Now thinking about defence and security. Australia already has close security partnerships with the United States and the United Kingdom. If Australia were to establish closer security relations with another country, which one of the following would you choose?
United States
US alliance: effect
I am now going to read you some different arguments about the alliance relationship with the United States. Please indicate whether you agree or disagree.
Defence and security
AUKUS
Thinking now about Australia’s partnerships in the world. Do you think AUKUS, the security partnership between Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom, will make Australia/our region more safe, less safe or make no difference?
Australian government performance
Budget priorities
Now about the federal budget. If you were making up the budget for the federal government this year, would you personally increase spending, decrease spending or keep spending about the same for:
Defence and security
Defence strategy
Which of the following statements comes closest to your views about Australia’s defence?
Defence and security
Foreign military based in Australia
Are you personally in favour or against Australia allowing the United States to base military forces here in Australia?
Defence and security
Nuclear-powered submarines and regional stability
The Australian government recently announced that Australia will acquire a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. These submarines will be powered by nuclear energy but will not carry nuclear weapons. Do you think Australia’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines under AUKUS will:
Defence and security
Nuclear-powered submarines: cost
Over the next 30 years, the total cost of the program is estimated to be between $268 billion and $368 billion. Do you think it’s worth paying this cost for the additional capability nuclear-powered submarines provide, or not?
China
Potential Chinese military base in the Pacific
To what extent are you concerned or not concerned about China potentially opening a military base in a Pacific Islands country?
China
Potential conflict over Taiwan
If China were to invade Taiwan, would you support or oppose Australia, acting together with the United States, taking the following actions.
Defence and security
Potential military conflict between China and the United States
In the event of a military conflict between China and United States, please say which one of the following statements comes closest to your own personal view.
Defence and security
The Quad
Do you think the Quad, the partnership between Australia, India, Japan and the United States, will make Australia/our region more safe, less safe or make no difference?
Defence and security
Acquiring nuclear weapons
Would you be in favour or against Australia acquiring nuclear weapons in the future?
Defence and security
Foreign influence in Australian politics
Are you personally concerned or not concerned about the influence of each of the following countries on Australia’s political processes?
Defence and security
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
To what extent are you concerned or not concerned about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine?
Defence and security
Use of Australian military forces
Would you personally be in favour or against the use of Australian military forces:
Australian government performance
Coalition government report card
What mark out of ten would you personally give the Coalition Government in Canberra for its performance in handling each of the following issues — with 10 meaning it has done an excellent job, 5 an average job and 0 a very poor job?
Defence and security
Australia’s intelligence agencies
Now about Australia’s intelligence activities and national security. For each of the statements below, please indicate whether you agree or disagree:
China
Australian government policies towards China
Would you support or oppose the following Australian government policies towards China?
United States
Military action under ANZUS
Under what circumstances should Australia act in accordance with our military alliance with the United States?
Defence and security
Quadrilateral Security Dialogue
Thinking now about Australia’s partnerships in the world. Would you support or oppose Australia forming a four-way partnership with the democracies of India, Japan and the United States to promote peace and security in the region?
China
Attitudes to China
Now a few more questions about China. Please say whether you personally agree or disagree with each of the following statements.
Indonesia
Attitudes to Indonesia
I am now going to read out a number of statements about Indonesia. For each one please say whether you personally agree or disagree.
Defence and security
Foreign technology in Australia
What should the government prioritise when considering which foreign companies should be allowed to supply new technology for important services in Australia?
United States
Joint military action under President Trump
Should Australia cooperate militarily with the United States under the presidency of Donald Trump?
China
Reasons to view China as a threat
Here are some reasons other people have given as to why China might become a military threat to Australia. For each one please tell me whether you agree or disagree it is a reason why you personally think China will become a military threat to Australia in the next 20 years?
Defence and security
Terrorism as a threat to Australia’s interests
Do you agree or disagree the following is a reason why terrorism may be a threat to Australia’s vital interests?
China
Freedom of navigation in the South China Sea
In response to China’s increasing military activities in the South China Sea, the United States has been conducting freedom of navigation operations designed to ensure freedom of navigation in the region. Are you personally in favour or against Australia conducting similar operations in an effort to ensure freedom of navigation in the South China Sea?
Defence and security
Air strikes against Islamic State
Are you personally in favour or against Australia conducting air strikes against Islamic State in Syria?
Australian foreign policy
Important issues facing Australia
Please say whether you personally think each of the following is a very important issue, a somewhat important issue, or not an important issue facing Australia at the moment:
Defence and security
Military action against Islamic State in Iraq
Thinking now about the organisation called Islamic State, also known as ISIL. As part of an international effort, the Australian Defence Force is currently conducting air strikes against Islamic State in Iraq, and providing training and support to Iraqi security forces. Are you personally in favour or against Australia participating in this action against Islamic State in Iraq?
Defence and security
New submarines
And now about Australia’s proposed purchase of new submarines. Companies in France, Germany and Japan are in a competitive tender to build Australia’s next generation of submarines. Which statement comes closest to your personal view?
Australian foreign policy
Australia in the G20 and UNSC
Is the effort to host the G20 or hold a seat on the United Nations Security Council worth the cost for Australia?
Defence and security
Conflict between China and Japan
In the event of a military conflict between China and Japan, please say which one of the following statements comes closest to your own personal view.
Defence and security
Data retention legislation and privacy
Is Australian government legislation to retain communications data justified or not justified as part of the effort to combat terrorism and protect national security?
Defence and security
Global risk priorities for Australia
Do you see the following as a high, moderate, low or no risk to Australia’s security in the next ten years?
Australian foreign policy
Government responses to the execution of Australians overseas
The following Is a list of ways for the Australian government to respond if an Australian citizen is executed in another country as a result of a death penalty. Do you personally agree or disagree that the Australian government should:
Indonesia
Policy priorities with Indonesia
Thinking now about the issues the Indonesian and Australian governments should be working on together. And which one of these issues do you personally think is the most important?
Defence and security
Air strikes on Iran’s nuclear program
Are you personally in favour or against the use of military air strikes on Iran to stop its attempts to develop nuclear weapons? Is that strongly or somewhat?
Australian foreign policy
Australia after the UN Security Council
Will Australia’s time on the United Nations Security Council will give Australia a lot more influence, a little more influence, or make no difference to Australia’s influence in the world?
Australian foreign policy
Australia in the UN Security Council
Will Australia’s time on the United Nations Security Council will be good for Australia, bad for Australia, or make no difference?
Defence and security
Costs and benefits of war in Afghanistan
All in all, considering the costs to Australia versus the benefits to Australia, do you personally think the war in Afghanistan has been worth fighting, or not worth fighting?
Defence and security
Government spending on defence
I am now going to read you three statements about Australian government spending on Defence. Please say which statement comes closest to your own personal view about government spending on Defence.
Defence and security
Government’s response to terrorism
Now about government responses to terrorism. Since 9/11 and the Bali bombings, Australia has been trying to stop terrorist attacks against its citizens. Please say which one of the following statements you personally agree with most:
Relations in the Indo-Pacific
The world’s leading superpower
Will China replace the United States as the world’s leading superpower?
United States
US military base in Australia
Are you personally in favour or against Australia allowing the United States to base US military forces here in Australia?
Defence and security
Views on Wikileaks
Thinking now about the WikiLeaks website that publishes classified documents. Do you personally think the job WikiLeaks does is more of a good thing or more of a bad thing
China
China as the leading power in Asia
Please say whether you agree or disagree that China will become the leading power in Asia or, do you think it already is the leading power in Asia?
China
Comfort with China leading Asia
You think China will become the leading power in Asia. Please say whether you are very comfortable, somewhat comfortable, somewhat uncomfortable or very uncomfortable about this.
Defence and security
Continued military involvement in Afghanistan
Should Australia continue to be involved militarily in Afghanistan?
Defence and security
Costs and benefits of war in Iraq
In overall terms, do you personally agree or disagree that the war in Iraq was worth the costs for Australia? Is that strongly or somewhat?
Economy and trade
Exporting uranium to India
Are you personally in favour or against Australia selling uranium to India? Is that strongly or somewhat?
Defence and security
Important security partners for Australia
Which country do you personally think will be Australia’s most important security partner over the next 10 years?
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Defence and security
Other important security partners for Australia
Which country do you personally think will be Australia’s second-most important security partner over the next 10 years?
United States
Regional views on US soldiers in Darwin
If China or Indonesia objected, would you be in favour or against allowing more US soldiers than the 2,500 limit to be based in Australia?
Defence and security
Special forces remaining in Afghanistan
Would you personally be in favour or against Australian special forces staying on in Afghanistan to work alongside US special forces in more limited counter-terrorism operations after major combat operations end?
United States
US soldiers based in Darwin
Would you be in favour or against allowing more US soldiers than the 2,500 limit to be based in Australia?
Defence and security
Australia’s involvement in Afghanistan
Is this a valid reason for Australia to remain militarily involved in Afghanistan?
Defence and security
China’s support in war on the Korean peninsula
What if China intervened to support North Korea against South Korea? Would you then personally be in favour or against Australia joining other allies like the United States in sending military forces to defend South Korea against North Korea and China?
Australian foreign policy
Goals of Australian foreign policy
Thinking about what Australian foreign policy should be trying to achieve, I am going to read a list of goals, and ask you to tell me how important each one is for Australia.
Defence and security
UN-authorised military intervention
In situations like Libya, are you personally in favour or against the UN Security Council authorising military intervention to try to stop the government from attacking its own citizens?
Indonesia
Views of Indonesia
I am going to read out a number of statements about Indonesia. Please say how much you agree or disagree with each one, using a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 means you strongly disagree and 10 means you strongly agree.
Defence and security
War on the Korean peninsula
If North Korea provoked a full-scale war with South Korea would you personally be in favour or against Australia joining other allies like the United States in sending military forces to defend South Korea against North Korea?
Defence and security
Confidence of aims in Afghanistan
Are you confident that Australia has clear aims in Afghanistan?
Indonesia
Indonesia as a threat
Do you think Indonesia is more of a threat to Australia or less of a threat than it was 15 years ago, or has there been no change?
Defence and security
Nuclear weapons in Australia
Would you be in favour of Australia developing nuclear weapons, if near neighbours began to develop nuclear weapons?
Defence and security
Threats to Australia’s security
Is the Afghan war, instability in Pakistan or the Iranian nuclear program the greatest threat to Australia’s security at the moment?
Indonesia
Trajectory of Indonesia’s democracy
Do you think Indonesia is more open and democratic or, less open and democratic today compared to say 15 years ago or is it about the same?
United States
US power in the coming decade
Do you think the United States will be stronger or weaker as an economic and military power in the next ten years?
Australian foreign policy
Australia’s bid for a UNSC seat
Should Australia should seek a temporary seat on the United Nations Security Council?
United States
Changing importance of ANZUS
Do you think our alliance with the United States is becoming more important, less important or is the importance of the alliance about the same?
Defence and security
Global nuclear disarmament
Do you agree or disagree that global nuclear disarmament should be a top priority for the Australian government?
Defence and security
Policy responses to Iran’s nuclear program
Would you be in favour of or against the following to deal with Iran developing nuclear weapons?
Australian foreign policy
US and UN influence on Australian foreign policy
Does Australia take too much, too little or the right amount of notice of the views of the United States and the United Nations in our foreign policy?
Defence and security
Goals of military involvement in Afghanistan
Thinking about Australia’s military involvement in Afghanistan, please say which of the following statements most closely reflects your own view. Australia is involved militarily in Afghanistan:
Climate change and energy
Uranium exports and nuclear waste
Should Australia take responsibility for nuclear waste from its uranium exports?
Climate change and energy
Uranium exports to signatories of the Non-proliferation Treaty
Should Australia only export uranium to countries that have signed the global Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty?
Defence and security
Continued military involvement in Iraq
Should Australia continue to be involved militarily in Iraq?
Defence and security
Goals of military involvement in Iraq
Thinking about Australia’s military involvement in Iraq, please say which of the following statements most closely reflects your own view. Australia is involved militarily in Iraq:
Defence and security
Iran and uranium
Do you think that Iran is producing enriched uranium strictly to fuel its energy needs or do you think it is trying to develop nuclear weapons?
Defence and security
Outlook for Australia’s international security
Overall, how optimistic are you about Australia’s international security over the next five years?
Defence and security
Responses to Iran’s nuclear program
You said you think that Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons. In your opinion, what is the best response?
Defence and security
Worry about threats
How worried are you about the following potential threats from the outside world.
Defence and security
Concern about Iran’s nuclear weapons
If Iran were to develop nuclear weapons how much, if at all, would that concern you? Not at all, a little, somewhat, very much?
Defence and security
Outcomes of military involvement in Iraq
I will now read out a number of statements about the Iraq War. Please say whether you agree or disagree with each statement.
Defence and security
Australia’s involvement in Iraq
At the start of the Iraq War did you support or oppose Australia’s military involvement?
Defence and security
Democracy in the Middle East
Should Australia play an active role in efforts to promote democracy in the Middle East?
Defence and security
Extraterritorial strikes against terrorists
If we believed that terrorists based in another country were going to launch an attack against Australia, and if the other country could not or would not take action to stop them, should we have the right to strike directly at the terrorists?
Relations in the Indo-Pacific
War over Taiwan
Should Australia act in accordance with ANZUS even if it means going to war with China over the independence of Taiwan?