Essential Report: underwhelmed by democracy and overwhelmed by the news
Mar 28, 2024
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Guardian Australia chief political correspondent Paul Karp and Peter Lewis from Essential Media discuss voter views on Australian democracy, warning signs for Anthony Albanese, support for electoral reform, and challenges with media gatekeepers.
Australian voters show mixed satisfaction levels with democracy, influenced by financial pressures and fluctuating sentiments post-federal election.
Public perception of Australia's action on climate change has shifted positively, with increased belief in government efforts, visible renewable energy projects, and grid upgrades.
Concerns about information overload online lead to strong support for electoral reforms, specifically stricter regulations on political donations and a desire to reduce big donation influence on election outcomes.
Deep dives
Trust in Democracy Satisfaction Levels
The Guardian Essential poll revealed a relatively even split between satisfaction and dissatisfaction with democracy in Australia, with around 32% satisfied, 31% dissatisfied, and a third neutral. The trends indicated a fluctuation in satisfaction levels over time, with a shift from a high positive sentiment post-federal election to a return to the November 17 levels. Financial pressure was linked to the dissatisfaction level, suggesting a discontent that poses challenges for major political parties.
Climate Change Perception Shift
Perceptions of Australia's action on climate change showed a notable shift in public sentiment, with more individuals now believing that the government is doing enough compared to those who feel it is not. This change marks the first time since 2016 that the 'doing enough' sentiment has surpassed 'not doing enough.' The perceived government action, coupled with visible renewable energy projects and grid upgrades, contributed to this positive shift, particularly notable among coalition voters.
Information Overload and Regulation Demand
The poll highlighted concerns about information overload online, with around 35% feeling overwhelmed and 48% uncertain about reliable sources. Strong support emerged for electoral reforms like truth in political advertising and real-time donation reporting. There was a general consensus, around 64%, supporting stricter regulations on political donations, indicating a clear desire to reduce the influence of big donations on election outcomes. Public funding for political candidates to limit donation reliance also garnered attention.
Media Regulation and Public Perception
The survey delved into public opinions on regulating social media platforms like Meta and TikTok, with a notable appetite for increased oversight, especially among older age groups. Support for a TikTok ban unless the parent company sells it was significant, with divisions between age demographics on the issue. Regarding the Meta news tab closure conflict, respondents appeared divided, showing a mix of acceptance towards both media companies' and Meta's arguments. The ongoing power struggle between big tech and media industries is expected to shape public debates.
Leadership Approval and Two-Party Preferred Findings
Critical insights were provided on the leadership approval ratings, with both Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton maintaining a negative net approval of -3 points. The analysis of the two-party preferred (2PP) voting intentions revealed fluctuations, indicating a shift in favor of the coalition since August 23. The 2PP increased for the coalition and decreased for Labor over time, with demographic variations observed in voting intentions and age groups. The stability of leadership ratings reflected a consistent pattern across different segments of the electorate.
Guardian Australia chief political correspondent Paul Karp talks to Peter Lewis from Essential Media about voters’ views on the institutions and guardrails that are the basis for Australian democracy. Together they discuss continued warnings signs for Anthony Albanese, the appetite for electoral reform and the alternatives to news media gatekeepers
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