Essential Research: bushfires, climate change and asylum seekers

A new poll finds respondents clearly of the view that not enough is being done to tackle climate change, but with opinion divided as to whether it appropriate to debate the matter in the context of the bushfire emergency.

The Essential Research poll series continues to chug along on its fortnightly schedule without offering anything on voting intention, with this week’s survey mainly relating to bushfires and climate change. Support for the proposition that Australia is not doing enough to address climate change have reached a new high of 60%, up nine since March, with “doing enough” down five to 22% and “doing too much” down three to 8%.

However, perceptions of climate change itself are little changed, with 61% attributing it to human activity (down one) and 28% opting for “a normal fluctuation in the earth’s climate”. On the debate as to whether it was appropriate to raise links between climate change and bushfires, opinion was evenly divided – out of those who considered such a link likely, 43% felt raising the matter appropriate compared with 17% for inappropriate, while another 30% rated the link as unlikely.

A further question related to the issue of medical evacuations for asylum seekers, and here the situation is murkier due to the need to provide respondents with some sort of explanation of what the issue is about. As the Essential survey put it, the relevant legislation allows “doctors, not politicians, more say in determining the appropriate medical
treatment offered to people in offshore detention”. Put like that, 62% were opposed to the government’s move to repeal it, including 25% who believed the legislation didn’t go far enough. That left only 22% in favour of the pro-government proposition that “legislation will weaken our borders and result in boats arriving”.

The poll was conducted Thursday to Sunday from a sample of 1083.

Author: William Bowe

William Bowe is a Perth-based election analyst and occasional teacher of political science. His blog, The Poll Bludger, has existed in one form or another since 2004, and is one of the most heavily trafficked websites on Australian politics.

1,314 comments on “Essential Research: bushfires, climate change and asylum seekers”

Comments Page 5 of 27
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  1. Barney in Tanjung Bunga
    Wednesday, November 27th, 2019 – 1:36 pm
    Comment #199

    I find it sad and pathetic that we have politicians who acknowledge that a piece of legislation is not good, but will allow their vote to be bought because of one person within the targeted organisations.

    Or – find a more or less plausible excuse for doing what they wanted desperately to do in the first place.

    I am most displeased that this execrable piece of bastardry becomes law.

  2. And thank you to John Setka – whose personal ego proved to be greater than the rights of his members and millions of other Australian workers to have effective union representation. Take a bow.

  3. Barney in Tanjung Bunga

    The ‘Setka excuse’ is just a sad withered fig leaf attempting to portray voting for a betrayal of all union members as a moral stand.

  4. He may be Catmomma, I don’t know. When I saw him on Telly being interviewed about that Chris Dawson case, my first impression was that he was a media-massager.

    Anyway, this phone call with Bin Boy is not a good look for Fuller either.

    And is it normal for police to tell people who the complainant is? Or was that public knowledge anyway?

  5. Who do we trust

    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-27/the-professions-australians-trust-the-most/11725448

    With trust in our political class at an all-time low, politicians might take some comfort in the fact there’s one other group Australians trust even less than them.

    Celebrities are trusted by just 8 per cent of Australians. Doctors and nurses, on the other hand, top the list, trusted by 97 per cent of us.

    Scientists were the second-most trusted group (93 per cent), followed by police and law enforcement (84 per cent).
    :::
    While there was strong agreement across age, sex, income and education demographic groups, vote preference revealed some interesting differences.

    One Nation voters had less trust in scientists (79 per cent), judges (47 per cent), and particularly journalists (13 per cent) than other voters.

    LNP voters trusted religious leaders, corporate executives and politicians more than other voters, while Greens and ALP voters trusted journalists and union leaders more.


  10. guytaur says:
    Wednesday, November 27, 2019 at 1:36 pm

    Cat

    Which is why Labor has to have a backbone and not be scared of being called Green.

    Instead own it just as it did when Malcolm Fraser called Bob Hawke a communist.

    Labor can stand on its own ground and should do so proudly.
    Don’t back down on Labor policy because of name calling by the IPA government and it’s media arm Newscorp

    The problem for Labor and for that matter the Greens is the Greens want to pretend they wag the dog.

    The party that can’t is now going to have to stand on it’s own two feet.

  12. The National Party in South Australia will lose its registration at the end of this week if its membership base does not grow.

    You missed the good part of Barnabys rant…

    That’s less opportunity to stand up against the injustices of Vegan activists,

    Ha. IIRC, the last Nations Party MP in SA was a minister in the Rann ALP government.

  13. Whethet John Setka resigned and or the CFMMEU promised to behave would make zero difference to the passage of this anti union legislation.

    Setka is just being used as a cover for the government, business and the cross bench to break the labour movement in this country.

    If the passing of this legislation was, according to Morrison, all about curbing militant and rogue unionists, union thugs, Setka and the CFMMEU then why was it not targeted at the construction industry ? It would not be the first time. The ABCC already has draconian powers to force unionists to give evidence etc so why not frame this legislation to give the ABCC even more power ?

    The answer is simple. Morrison and his enablers want to destroy all unions and leave 1.5 million unionists without protection and the ability to campaign for decent wages, work place safety etc etc.

    If Lambie really was concerned about Setka and wanted him gone then why not support the legislation targeting the construction industry only ? Why get on her high horse and drag 1.5 million other unionists down as well ?

    The answer is simple. She is anti union and full of bullshit.

    Setka is a non issue in this matter. Look at the numbers and who is voting for the legislation. Whether Setka stands down or not means nothing and those who throw blame at him for being responsible for this legislation passing need to step back and think clearly instead of knee jerk reflexes.

    Morrison apwants to destroy all unions. He is supported by business and the cross bench. Lambie is no friend of workers just as Centre Alliance and Hanson are no friends of workers. Setka is just a cover.

    BTW, I have posted many times Setka should resign for the good of the labour movement. He represents workers in a hard and dangerous industry but is now a liability and due to a combination of his own efforts and ongoing attacks from the government and others is the “ union thug” poster boy for Morrison and co. I still believe he should go but to blame him for the passing of this legislaion is just laughable.

  14. frednk,
    Yes, The Greens should learn how to stand on their own 2 feet and stop trying to co-opt Labor. If people want to put a ‘1’ next to The Greens they will, ditto Labor, upon consideration of each party’s suite of policies. Not whether one party or the other demands co-operation with their policies.

  15. AE
    “And thank you to John Setka – whose personal ego proved to be greater than the rights of his members and millions of other Australian workers to have effective union representation. Take a bow.”

    He is being used as an Coalition excuse to ATTACK the UNIONS, anyone with half a brain can see that!.

  16. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-26/northern-territory-sex-industry-bill-passed/11739820

    Sex work has now been decriminalised in the Northern Territory — with the Territory Parliament voting 16-5 to repeal the NT’s old sex work laws and pass a new act.

    Tonight, Territory politicians voted to adopt the new legislation which means brothels, soliciting and home-based sex work are no longer illegal, although the Government refused to remove penalties for non-compliant advertising.

    With the passing of this fine piece of legislation hope is raised that the Federal Parliamentiary Whores will – after passing similar law – be free to ply their trade in the sunlight free from persecution by MSM (as if) or Opposition Parties.

  17. doyley,
    John Setka was the hook the government hung the Bill on. Lambie publicly stated she would not vote for the Bill, as it stood not as you would like it to have been, if John Setka stood down from his union position. He didn’t. Lambie voted for the Bill. You’d think if John Setka was such a passionate unionist he would have taken one for the team. He didn’t.

    Thanks for nothing, John Setka.

  18. 1934pc @ #216 Wednesday, November 27th, 2019 – 2:09 pm

    AE
    “And thank you to John Setka – whose personal ego proved to be greater than the rights of his members and millions of other Australian workers to have effective union representation. Take a bow.”

    He is being used as an Coalition excuse to ATTACK the UNIONS, anyone with half a brain can see that!.

    Apparently John Setka couldn’t. 😐

  19. The G blog

    Mick Fuller said today in a doorstep interview, “The Prime Minister didn’t ask me any questions that were inappropriate.

    Oh. Goodo. Everyone can go home now.

  20. C@tmomma @ #217 Wednesday, November 27th, 2019 – 2:10 pm

    doyley,
    John Setka was the hook the government hung the Bill on. Lambie publicly stated she would not vote for the Bill, as it stood not as you would like it to have been, if John Setka stood down from his union position. He didn’t. Lambie voted for the Bill. You’d think if John Setka was such a passionate unionist he would have taken one for the team. He didn’t.

    Thanks for nothing, John Setka.

    What self-serving nonsense. If Labor (or perhaps the unions) had dealt with Setka when he was doing so much damage to the Australian union movement, the current situation would never have arisen.

    Some Labor people just love blaming everyone else for their own inadequacies and failures, don’t they? Lambie … the Greens … Clive Palmer … the media … the voters … etc etc.

    Surely it’s time to accept at least some responsibility?

  23. The vote of Lambie means jack shit. Even if Setka had stood down and Lambie abstained or opposed ( we will never know btw ) the legislation will still pass on the back of Centre Alliance and One nation.

    If Lambie is so pro worker 2hy drag 1.5 million unionists down so she can live out her hate for one man ? Setka is just a cover and those blaming him instead of Lambie, Hanson and Centre Alliance are way off the mark.

    Those supporting this legislation are not doing so because they think Setka is unfit to remain a union offical they are doing so because they are anti union and ideologically opposed to workers be able to band together and fight for fair wages, conditions etc.

    Wake up and face reality.

    Anyway, we shall see who votes for what as the rest of the week unfolds.

  24. Very good point. I daresay Trump has not thought this through. LOL!

    Rick Wilson
    @TheRickWilson
    ·
    1h
    So if Rudy wasn’t Trump’s client in Ukraine…as Trump just said…does that mean he doesn’t have attorney client privilege?

  31. doyley,
    If the vote would have gone through without Lambie why concentrate your ire on her? And if you knew CA and PHON would vote for it, why not attack Rebekha Sharkie as being complicit with the CA Senator’s votes, if you want to attack a woman? 😐

  32. For those defending Setka and hating the cross bench should remember that his union’s Queensland branch played a part in Morrison’s election win.

  33. Cormann’s losing it in Senate QT over Taylor’s alleged improper conduct, blaming Dreyfus for writing to NSW Police. The crux is, the letter led to a task force being established to investigate crooked Angus. I feel a matter of public importance coming in the House. Labor should milk this for all its worth.

  34. The Coalition are persisting with the Taylor cover-up explanation, even in the Senate:

    Labor also asked Simon Birmingham, representing Taylor, where the travel figures came from – Birmingham replied that it is “the advice of the minister” that it came from the City of Sydney website.

  37. In news to no one, Scott Morrison is a sleazy bastard:

    And then we get this:

    We know, Mr Speaker, some of those tablets were destined for schoolies on the Gold Coast and in other destinations around the country and because of this disruption, the drugs were taken from our streets.

    I can tell you as a parent of a teenager who just came back from schoolies, I had some hair before schoolies started – no hair by the end of it – but she got back safely. I’m misleading the House a little bit there. Sorry. Nonetheless, a lot of stress for parents.

    That comb-over works for you Albo, that’s what I will say. The comb-over works for you.

    Albanese: I HAVE HAIR

  38. Boerwar @ #37 Wednesday, November 27th, 2019 – 8:38 am

    Bellwether

    Morrison has another two years and a half years with the likelihood of winning the next election to go with it.
    Johnson is about to get a four year term with an absolute majority.
    Bolsonaro has another three years.

    Since 2011 the term in the UK is supposed to be 5 years, not 4. It hasn’t worked out that way yet however, thanks to the machinations of May and Johnson.

  41. Maybe the unions should wear it as a badge of honor and by showing greater professionalism gaining the moral high ground when things go wrong.

  42. John Quiggin – The new normal: put up with it

    https://johnquiggin.com/2019/11/27/the-new-normal-put-up-with-it/

    Anthony Albanese has finally responded to the bushfire disaster. On the positive side, and by contrast with Morrison, he has at least acknowledged the role of climate change in turning our historical pattern of episodic bushfires into a new normal in which fires burn for weeks on end in places that have never seen them before. As of today, with the worst of the crisis behind us for now, NSW Fire and Rescue Service reports

    At 8.30am there are 129 fires burning, 66 are uncontained. One fire is at Watch and Act level. More than 1,800 personnel are working to contain these fires. Severe and High Fire Danger Ratings continue over much of the state today.

    Albo’s response is to call for an emergency COAG which will discuss how to deal with climate related disasters, but not, it seems, look at doing anything about our contribution to climate change. That would, it seems, be unnecessarily divisive.

    We now have a choice between two exciting climate policies

    LNP: Don’t believe your lying eyes, let alone lying scientists. It isn’t happening

    ALP: It’s happening, and we’re not going to do anything unpopular to stop it. Get used to it.

  43. Union bans donations to Labor MPs, slams Albanese over trade deals

    https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/freetrade-pacts-spark-union-row-with-labor/news-story/3b3732d41aa9e553c63d3ea414c7cec9

    The Electrical Trades Union will no longer provide ­donations or logistic support to the federal Labor Party and has criticised ­Anthony Albanese over a “lack of leadership” after the ­federal opposition voted for three free-trade agreements.

    The union provided the ALP with almost $1m across all ­branches in the lead-up to the May 18 election.

    At a meeting of the ETU’s divisional council in Hobart on Wednesday night, the union resolved that future financial support would be considered only for “individual MPs and candidates who publicly support a strong position on fair trade”.

    The ETU also resolved that its funding ban would not be ­extended to state Labor parties.
    :::
    The union movement has been scathing of Labor’s decision to vote for the Indonesian, Hong Kong and Peru free-trade agreements, which passed parliament with bipartisan support. Some ­opposition MPs have also warned that the issue could damage the party ahead of the 2022 election.
    :::
    ETU national secretary Allen Hicks said the Labor Party had “completely sold out working people on trade policy”.

  44. poroti,

    Thanks for that link.

    Every union offical will be held to higher standards than Morrison, Hanson, Rex Patrick and Lambie with the passing of this legislation and every union will face far more oversight than any political party.

    Every union offical. Not just Setka but every union offical who stands up for the 1.5 million unionists in this country faces the possibility of significant fines for doing their job. Meanwhile Angus Taylor and other pollies supporting this legislation are free to do what they like in the absence of a federal ICAC with teeth.

    Those who vote for this legislation know exactly what they are voting for and it is not because Setka is a thug. It is because they are ideologically opposed to unionism and the potential power it gives to workers to negotiate fair pay and safe working conditions.

  45. [Albo’s response is to call for an emergency COAG which will discuss how to deal with climate related disasters, but not, it seems, look at doing anything about our contribution to climate change. That would, it seems, be unnecessarily divisive.]

    This is not the best written paragraph in history.

  46. Since the election, I have learnt not to underestimate Scott Morrison. As well as being convinced that Morrison wants to become an authoritarian ‘strongman’ leader much like Viktor Orban in Hungary. Which would result in Australia becoming an corrupt, authoritarian, ‘Illiberal democracy’.

    Indeed, Morrison is well on his way to achieve this, especially given the effort that Morrison and Dutton have done to build a police state in this country. An example; of this building of a police state, is the legislation to bust unions. Unfortunately there are very few in our political class, who have woken up this fact.

  49. Quiggin has jumped the shark.

    There are three basic elements to any rational discussion about global warming:

    1. The science.
    2. The policies.
    3. Elections.

    Quiggin and the Greens want Labor to adopt Zero/2030 and simply ignore the fact that 90% of the voters knocked Zero/2030 back in the last election.

    What good would that do?

    Quiggin uses this as a basis for criticizing Labor. Truly idiotic stuff.

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