Essential Research leadership ratings and coronavirus polling

As the contours of the Eden-Monaro by-election start to take shape, a new poll finds respondents highly satisfied with antipodean governments’ handling of coronavirus, and mindful of the less happy situation elsewhere in the anglosphere.

The Guardian reports Essential Research’s latest weekly round of coronavirus polling includes the pollster’s monthly leadership ratings, which have Scott Morrison’s approval at 64%, gaining a further five points after his 18-point hike a month ago. Anthony Albanese is down two to 42% — we must await the full report later today to see their disapproval ratings. Morrison holds a 50-25 lead as preferred prime minister, out from 46-27 last time (UPDATE: Full report here; both are at 27% disapproval, which is a four point drop in Morrison’s case and a two point drop in Albanese’s).

The most interesting of the latest tranche of coronavirus questions relate to other countries’ handling of the crisis, with 79% rating New Zealand’s response very good or good, whereas (if I’m reading this correctly) the United States’ response is rated very poor or poor by 71%, and the United Kingdom is similarly rated by 48%. Another question finds 57% support for maintaining Newstart either at its current level “after the current crisis passes” or aligning it with the rate for single pensioners, with only 28% in favour of returning it to its earlier level.

The poll also finds growing appetite for easing restrictions, with 37% now saying it is too soon to do so, down from 49% a fortnight ago, and 36% wanting restrictions eased over the next month or two, but still only 10% wanting them gone as soon as possible. Respondents were also presented with a series of propositions about school closures, which found 45% sayig schools should reopen, “half” saying schools should teach students remotely until the outbreak passes, and 41% saying they would keep their children at home even if schools reopened.

The latest news on the by-election front is that NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro has announced he will not run in Eden-Monaro, and Senator Jim Molan has likewise withdrawn his intention to pursue Liberal preselection, with both allowing a clear run for Andrew Constance, NSW Transport Minister and member for the seat of Bega, most of which is within Eden-Monaro. The by-election now looms as a straightforward contest between Labor and Liberal, with the Nationals sure to be only a minor presence in Barilaro’s absence, if indeed they run at all.

Constance was the subject of sympathetic media attention after nearly losing his Malua Bay house in the summer bushfires, a particularly helpful asset given the federal goverment’s handling of the fires loomed as its main liability in the campaign. He revealed in March that he would be quitting politics when the bushfire recovery was complete, albeit without making clear when that might be. The by-election that will now be required in Bega will thus be less disruptive than one in Barilaro’s seat of Monaro would have been, and the seat is also at less risk of being lost by the government. No indication so far as I can see as to who might be in the running in Bega.

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.

3,512 comments on “Essential Research leadership ratings and coronavirus polling”

Comments Page 2 of 71
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  1. https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/natasha-spencer-says-production-of-the-next-season-of-married-at-first-sight-should-be-delayed/news-story/560458187913253a860a2c233f063751

    Take that

    and that

    Nine head of content, production and development Adrian Swift recently said there would be “fundamental” changes to the controversial show next year.

    “Married at First Sight will not be able to go ahead like it did last year. It is next year where we think things could be more challenging.” Swift told Media Week.

    Mundo says …….


  2. Cud Chewer says:
    …
    – The app currently as I understand it polls once per minute and records every contact within range (~10m). Every such recorded contact gets uploaded to a database
    …

    Ok I understand how you get 3%.

    As I understand it, “the app” is based on blue safe, the contact gets added to a file on your phone, which you may give the health authority permission to read if you get corona virus. It is a critical difference.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BlueTrace

  5. Not sure how ‘trustworthy’ this Reuters report is ????? – but wonder what may happen with Trumps constant criticism of them

    Exclusive: Internal Chinese report warns Beijing faces Tiananmen-like global backlash over virus

    BEIJING (Reuters) – An internal Chinese report warns that Beijing faces a rising wave of hostility in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak that could tip relations with the United States into confrontation, people familiar with the paper told Reuters.

    The report, presented early last month by the Ministry of State Security to top Beijing leaders including President Xi Jinping, concluded that global anti-China sentiment is at its highest since the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, the sources said.

    As a result, Beijing faces a wave of anti-China sentiment led by the United States in the aftermath of the pandemic and needs to be prepared in a worst-case scenario for armed confrontation between the two global powers, according to people familiar with the report’s content, who declined to be identified given the sensitivity of the matter.

    In recent days, U.S. President Donald Trump, facing a more difficult re-election campaign as the coronavirus has claimed tens of thousands of American lives and ravaged the U.S. economy, has been ramping up his criticism of Beijing and threatening new tariffs on China. His administration, meanwhile, is considering retaliatory measures against China over the outbreak, officials said.

    It is widely believed in Beijing that the United States wants to contain a rising China, which has become more assertive globally as its economy has grown.

    MORE : https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-china-sentiment-ex/exclusive-internal-chinese-report-warns-beijing-faces-tiananmen-like-global-backlash-over-virus-idUSKBN22G19C

  8. Coronavirus: Aussies-first rhetoric must stop in immigration debate, says Anne Aly

    https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/tones-of-dog-whistling-in-kristina-keneallys-migration-pitch-bob-carr/news-story/4ad7213a7884ff120b32cb6855824acc

    “We have got a history in Australia of talking about immigration in relation to ‘the wogs have got all the houses, they are going to take our jobs, we are going to be invaded, there is overcrowding’. And to blame all of that on immigration.

    “We need to stop that,” Dr Aly told The Australian.

    “We need to have a separate discussion around population growth and a separate discussion about immigration. I don’t like the conflation of those issues.”
    :::
    “I would drop all references to jobs for Australians first,” Mr Carr told The Australian. “That is very loose rhetoric and it could have been invoked at any time in our history against migration. That is not what the argument is about — the argument is about numbers.

    “It has got tones of that (dog-whistling). It is not what the argument is about. The argument is about pressure on our cities.
    :::
    The Australian has been told Senator Keneally’s opinion piece was cleared by Anthony Albanese’s office, although it is not official Labor policy and was not discussed by shadow cabinet.

  10. Mundo,

    No one needs to hear from Opposition Leaders at this point it is all about the Leaders. They don’t want or need to hear from Opposition Leaders being critical. That time will come. Get a grip.

    Interestingly that we have a National Cabinet so all states are generally pulling and agreeing on the strategy. Unfortunately no such cabinet exists in the shit show known as the USA.

  11. Politicians love to say “we are the most successful migrant nation in the world” when it suits them.

    @WillowA2
    ·
    30m
    here’s a thing to consider, when Keneally said “put Australian workers first” and everyone screamed “racist” did it not cross anyone’s mind Australian workers include ppl of Asian, Aboriginal, Middle Eastern, Islander, African and other non-Anglo backgrounds?

  12. anyone interested in that news article in today’s dawn patrol about investors urging the government to support renewable energy projects, might be interested in the new report from the international energy association (iea):- “Global Energy Review 2020-The impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on global energy demand and CO2 emissions”.
    https://www.iea.org/reports/global-energy-review-2020

    the iea reckons Covid19 has dealt a knockout blow to fossil fuels (including coal) and that renewables are the future.

    there’s a summary article at the guardian:- “Covid-19 crisis will wipe out demand for fossil fuels, says IEA-Renewable electricity may be only source to withstand biggest shock in 70 years”.
    https://www.iea.org/reports/global-energy-review-2020
    -regards, a.v.

  13. Troy Bramston

    Kristina Keneally is wrong to lecture us about immigration

    https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/kristina-keneally-is-wrong-to-lecture-us-about-immigration/news-story/9378fcd222db6563d3c8b611e5c78c75

    One of the great things about Australia is our immigrant story: the contribution made to upskilling our economy, enlivening our communities and enriching our culture. But Keneally has gone Donald Trump-lite by propagating nativism and xenophobia with her “Australians First” rhetoric. US-born Keneally wants Australia’s immigration program, post-pandemic, to be reduced overall and the composition changed. She has skilled workers on temporary visas in her sights. “We must make sure Australians get a fair go and a first go at jobs,” she told Sydney’s The Sun-Herald. This language is loaded with ignorance and prejudice.
    :::
    Keneally’s approach is not only wrongheaded policy but also dangerous and divisive politics. To call it a dog whistle would ascribe a degree of intelligent strategy to it. Labor’s home affairs spokeswoman has used the same degenerate language that Trump does by aping his “America First” mantra. It is demeaning and disrespectful to all migrants.
    :::
    Seats with strong migrant populations in Sydney and Melbourne, especially, swung against Labor at the last election. Keneally’s attack on temporary skilled migrants will be interpreted as an attack on all migrants who have come here in good faith with their talents to contribute to our economy and make a new home, raise a family and play their part as members of our community.
    :::
    It may be a coincidence that Keneally’s preselection for the next election will be decided by union bosses. Keneally is in a contest with fellow senator Deborah O’Neill for the No 1 spot on NSW Labor’s Senate ticket. Keneally filled a casual Senate vacancy in 2018 only because she had the backing of then NSW Labor secretary Kaila Murnain and leader Bill Shorten. Several Labor frontbenchers privately condemn Keneally’s “Australians First” rhetoric. Contacted on Sunday and Monday, they said it did not fully reflect discussions on immigration in shadow cabinet. The shift in language and policy emphasis came as a surprise to them. But it did not come as a surprise that it came from Keneally. I doubt any of her colleagues will offer a full-throated endorsement of the “Australians First” language.
    :::
    It is Albanese’s hypocrisy that galls many Labor MPs and party members. Having spent decades railing against the right faction for stitching up preselections, he did just that by endorsing Kristy McBain as Labor’s candidate for the Eden-Monaro by-election. He endorsed her and even campaigned with her in Queanbeyan before preselection nominations closed. So much for due process.

  14. Kirky @ #60 Tuesday, May 5th, 2020 – 10:06 am

    Mundo,

    No one needs to hear from Opposition Leaders at this point it is all about the Leaders. That time will come. Get a grip.

    Interestingly that we have a National Cabinet so all states are generally pulling and agreeing on the strategy. Unfortunately no such cabinet exists in the shit show known as the USA.

    No one needs to hear from Opposition Leaders at this point it is all about the Leaders.
    ‘There’s a interesting circularity to this statement’ Mr Abbott – former Leader of the Opposition and Prime minister said today.

  16. lizzie @ #61 Tuesday, May 5th, 2020 – 10:08 am

    Politicians love to say “we are the most successful migrant nation in the world” when it suits them.

    @WillowA2
    ·
    30m
    here’s a thing to consider, when Keneally said “put Australian workers first” and everyone screamed “racist” did it not cross anyone’s mind Australian workers include ppl of Asian, Aboriginal, Middle Eastern, Islander, African and other non-Anglo backgrounds?

    ‘Here’s a thing to consider, when Senator Keneally said “put Australian workers first” and everyone screamed “racist” did it not cross anyone’s mind Australian workers include ppl of Asian, Aboriginal, Middle Eastern, Islander, African and other non-Anglo backgrounds?’ Mr Albanese said.

  19. Hamish Macdonald
    @hamishNews
    ·
    13m
    Delighted to say that both
    @DanielAndrewsMP
    &
    @GladysB
    will join us for next week’s #qanda – the full line-up will be announced later in the week

  21. Really Pegasus – Troy Bramston? You’re actually citing an article written by Troy Bramston to attack a Labor frontbencher. This is Troy Bramston of The Australian, SkyNews, and The Spectator. I didn’t think you could sink any lower in my estimation, but you’ve succeeded with alacrity. Well done.

  22. KK never said “Australia First”, or even “put Australian workers first”.
    Not that this fact will stop all the hystericals from giving us their unwanted opinions.
    She DID say:

    We must make sure that Australians get a fair go and a first go at jobs.

    Dog knows how that is rascist.
    I’ve read some bullshit in my time, but that really is the biggest croc I’ve seen.
    For those who haven’t read her well-reasoned article, it’s here
    https://www.smh.com.au/national/do-we-want-migrants-to-return-in-the-same-numbers-the-answer-is-no-20200501-p54p2q.html

    In it she points out that Morrison-the-deceitful claimed he was going to reduce migration at the last election; and he did – permanent migration- to 160,000 pa
    Temporary migration is completely uncapped, and we now have 2.1 million temporary migrants here, filling all manner of low skilled jobs, so that our own kids (of whatever background) were stuck on NewStart starvation benefit of $40 a day.

    And no, they don’t get a fair chance at those jobs. That’s what KK asked for – a fair go.

    And Troy Bramston, Anne Aly, and all the other opinionated wankers need to read the 2016 Productivity Commission report (still sitting unopened on the desk of Morrison-the-deceitful) like KK has done.
    Then they may be worth listening to

  23. lizzie @ #61 Tuesday, May 5th, 2020 – 10:08 am

    Politicians love to say “we are the most successful migrant nation in the world” when it suits them.

    @WillowA2
    ·
    30m
    here’s a thing to consider, when Keneally said “put Australian workers first” and everyone screamed “racist” did it not cross anyone’s mind Australian workers include ppl of Asian, Aboriginal, Middle Eastern, Islander, African and other non-Anglo backgrounds?

    And Anne bleeding Aly!

  24. Meat processing plants here and everywhere are showing to have a very high rate of transmission.
    Meanwhile the blitz on testing is finding more cases.
    …………………………

    Another 17 people have been diagnosed with the coronavirus in Victoria, taking the total number of cases in the state to 1423.

    Eleven of those cases are connected to the cluster at Cedar Meats abattoir, which already had 34 cases.

    Two of the patients were diagnosed after being tested in a drive-through clinic, while three are under investigation.

    Eleven people remain in hospital, including six people in intensive care.

    So far, 152,000 people have been tested around Victoria, an increase of 5,500 from the day before.

  25. Kakuru @ #71 Tuesday, May 5th, 2020 – 10:30 am

    Really Pegasus – Troy Bramston? You’re actually citing an article written by Troy Bramston to attack a Labor frontbencher. This is Troy Bramston of The Australian, SkyNews, and The Spectator. I didn’t think you could sink any lower in my estimation, but you’ve succeeded with alacrity. Well done.

    Pegasus is just another Anti Labor, Anti Australian Worker, privileged Green grub. So is nath.

  27. Maude Lynne @ #72 Tuesday, May 5th, 2020 – 10:31 am

    KK never said “Australia First”, or even “put Australian workers first”.
    Not that this fact will stop all the hystericals from giving us their unwanted opinions.
    She DID say:

    We must make sure that Australians get a fair go and a first go at jobs.

    Dog knows how that is rascist.
    I’ve read some bullshit in my time, but that really is the biggest croc I’ve seen.
    For those who haven’t read her well-reasoned article, it’s here
    https://www.smh.com.au/national/do-we-want-migrants-to-return-in-the-same-numbers-the-answer-is-no-20200501-p54p2q.html

    In it she points out that Morrison-the-deceitful claimed he was going to reduce migration at the last election; and he did – permanent migration- to 160,000 pa
    Temporary migration is completely uncapped, and we now have 2.1 million temporary migrants here, filling all manner of low skilled jobs, so that our own kids (of whatever background) were stuck on NewStart starvation benefit of $40 a day.

    And no, they don’t get a fair chance at those jobs. That’s what KK asked for – a fair go.

    And Troy Bramston, Anne Aly, and all the other opinionated wankers need to read the 2016 Productivity Commission report (still sitting unopened on the desk of Morrison-the-deceitful) like KK has done.
    Then they may be worth listening to

    Ms Wong, in a spirited and passionate defence of her colleague on Q&A last night, said..’Senator Keneally never said “Australia First”, or even “put Australian workers first”.
    She DID say:
    We must make sure that Australians get a fair go and a first go at jobs.
    Goodness knows how that is rascist.
    I’ve read some rubbish in my time, but that really is the biggest load of it I’ve seen’
    Wong went on to say Keneally’s ‘well reasoned’ piece could be found in the SMH.

  29. Hmm, meat processing plants, lots of blood and animal bits and pieces around, high degree of transmission of a virus. I wonder if they are related?

  31. “Florida, where old people go to die.”

    CNBC Now @CNBCnow

    JUST IN: Carnival Cruise Line says it will begin to phase-in cruises again starting August 1 with eight of its ships leaving from Miami, Port Canaveral and Galveston. https://t.co/jn8limUSe7

  32. lizzie @ #69 Tuesday, May 5th, 2020 – 10:25 am

    Hamish Macdonald
    @hamishNews
    ·
    13m
    Delighted to say that both
    @DanielAndrewsMP
    &
    @GladysB
    will join us for next week’s #qanda – the full line-up will be announced later in the week

    ‘Great Hamish. You can spend the week working out your dumb fucking questions to needle Andrews with. Fukwit’ Mundo said today.

  33. C@tmomma

    “Pegasus is just another Anti Labor, Anti Australian Worker, privileged Green grub. So is nath.”

    I’m confused by way the Greens quote RWNJs to attack their fellow progressives in the ALP. It’s almost as if the Greens are soulless and grasping opportunists, rather than rising above the din of politics like they claim. Maybe the Greens are just another political party after all?

  34. mundo should read more of the SmearStralian to better understand how to spin half truths, misquotes and embedded bias into put downs of progressive forces.

  35. Kakuru

    Adam Bandt has said that one of his ambitions is to gain the balance of power in the government. That could be with either major party.

  36. My, how the Racism Spotting Industry howls when someone says we should look after ourselves first, protect jobs in Australia and prevent cheaper, imported workers from coming here and doing them for a pittance and greatly reduced workplace entitlements.

    You can point out that a call to lower immigration involves lowering it from all countries, but all the finger-pointers see is “Asian-bashing”.

    The most hilarious post on this Board this morning was from Pegasus. Talk about starting with the answer, then looking for the question!

    Coronavirus has fuelled racism against Asian-Australians, but why isn’t official data showing it?

    Maybe because it hasn’t “fuelled racism” at all? And therefore there is no official data?

    The reason 90% of the Chinese community stopped patronizing Chinese businesses back in January-February wasn’t because the Chinese hate the Chinese. It was because they knew about Wuhan, and didn’t want it to happen here when the Lunar New Year tourist influx arrived.

    There will always be crazies on buses and in supermarkets who get a few beers in, and then look for a Middle-Eastern person, or an Asian to abuse. That’s part of the Australian experience (not admirable, but real enough).

    I doubt whether there has been much of an increase in racial abuse at all. It’s just being reported more prominently (ironically by the same media outlets that are promoting conspiracy theories about secret germ warfare labs in Wuhan).

    Plus of course the Racism Spotting Industry is looking for work since the ISIS threat died down.

    Put all those ingredients together and its Mardi Gras time.

  37. KK was talking about short term woker visa holders.

    These people have no automatic pathway to citizenship or long term residency.

    This is a very different thing to permanent immigration and has no place in a discussion around immigration.

  38. kenneally, k. is shadow minister for home affairs, immigration, and citizenship. how long do immigrants have to be here before they can “lecture” youse about anythink? -a.v.

  40. Maude Lynne

    A LOL of the “racist” charge for me is that in the case of a previous employer of mine those getting “used for cheap labour” were all mighty whitey anglos from the UK and Canada.

  41. Bluebottle says:
    Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at 10:44 am
    “Florida, where old people go to die.”

    CNBC Now @CNBCnow

    JUST IN: Carnival Cruise Line says it will begin to phase-in cruises again starting August 1 with eight of its ships leaving from Miami, Port Canaveral and Galveston. https://t.co/jn8limUSe7

    And the first Cruise ship departing Miami will be the Russian Roulette
    “You may not have covid-19 when you embark, but you may well when you disembark”

  42. BK @ #3 Tuesday, May 5th, 2020 – 5:27 am

    Clancy Yeates writes that the dividend boom that has underpinned 90 per cent of share market returns over the past decade is over with moves by the nation’s largest companies to slash shareholder payouts poised to deliver a $26 billion hit to Australian investors.
    https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/australian-investors-facing-26b-hit-as-blue-chips-slash-dividends-20200504-p54pll.html

    OH NOES!!!!

    All those battlers living off their EARNED(!) franking credits on Struggle Street in Point Piper, will be crying into their Dom Perignon! They may even be forced to sell their second yacht!

    Are any Bludgers interested in setting up a GoFundMe page to help them out?

    I’ll be doing my part by setting a up GoFuckYourself page for them.

  43. Kakaru,
    I don’t get it. Some people just can’t move on, they get stuck in bitter little ruts. Pegasus because she feels Labor betrayed her over reform post-Workchoices, and nath because Labor brought the Single Mothers Pension into line with other unemployment payments.

    Honestly, the SM payment is a two-sided coin. Firstly, it’s a good thing to get single mums into jobs when their kids are old enough to go to school. Other mums who work do it, that is, leave their kids at aschool then go to work, so why not Single Mums? They’d benefit more from the extra money, for a start. Otoh, you could say that Single Mums are different from partnered mums. However, as the child of a Single Mum who looked after 2 kids until she met her second husband, and worked a full time job, I don’t think you can generalise.

  44. alfred venison @ #88 Tuesday, May 5th, 2020 – 10:49 am

    kenneally, k. is shadow minister for home affairs, immigration, and citizenship. how long do immigrants have to be here before they can “lecture” youse about anythink? -a.v.

    a.v. I think you have a Green grub in your apple about where your brain is located.

  46. lizzie
    “Adam Bandt has said that one of his ambitions is to gain the balance of power in the government. That could be with either major party.”

    At last count, the Greens had a total of one seat in the HOR. So they have to get those extra 75 seats some how.

  47. I was mistaken in my statement to the effect that Westpac were not offering to help me. My almost nearly sincere apologies to all interested (nobody). An email today —-

    You were recently invited to take part in some important research and our records indicate that you haven’t started the survey yet. We’d love your input to help us improve the way we serve you. We know that when you really understand, you can really help. There’s still time to provide feedback about the bank and the services we provide our customers.

    The survey will only take a few minutes to complete and the questions are very straightforward. We won’t ask for any personal financial information, and we’re not trying to sell you anything – our only interest is your experience as a customer. By taking part in this research you are agreeing to link your survey responses with your name and contact details.

    Sorry too busy with the GoFundMe proposed by Danama Papers.

    Elevenses ☕

  48. I had a look at the Qantas website to see how much a hypothetical airfare costs now.
    There are no discount fares. At all. Flights that used to cost around $200 each way are now over $400 each way.

    Anyone thinking that there will be a tourism-based recovery once COVID-19 is under control are dreamin’.

  50. Barney : that’s what i thought. so why is she getting flack like that? ’cause she’s an ex-yank? i don’t get it. has anyone slanging her read the original article? -a.v.

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