In Australia, a cross-section of 664 men and women aged 14 or over were interviewed by telephone on the nights of February 4-6, 2014. Respondents were asked: “Firstly, what do you think is the most important problem facing the World today?” and “What do you think is the most important problem facing Australia today?”
In February 2014, Australians still believe Economic & Financial issues are the most important set of problems facing Australia (39%, down 1% since October 2013) and the World (34%, up 1%) according to the latest Roy Morgan Research.
Australian views on Problems facing Australia
When asked about the most important problem facing Australia, Economic & Financial issues are named by 39% of Australians (down 1% since October 2013). This includes the Economy, Economic problems and Interest Rates 12% (down 2%), Unemployment 11% (up 2%) – now at its equal record highest since this survey began in 2005, Poverty and the Gap between the rich and poor 4% (up 1%), Foreign Ownership and Investment 2% (up 1%) and Housing affordability 2% (unchanged). In this latest survey no respondents mentioned the Carbon Tax.
A group of issues labelled Religion/ Immigration/ Human Rights are named by 16% (down 1%) of Australians including the related policy issues of Refugees and Asylum seeker problems 9% (unchanged) and Immigration/ Immigration policy 2% (down 1%). Also mentioned were Aboriginal Issues/ Health/ Rights 2% (up 1%). In addition, the issue of Politics and Leadership was named by 11% (up 3%) as the most important problem facing Australia.
Some 11% of Australians mentioned a Social Issue as the most important problem facing Australia. The two most important Social Issues mentioned were Education 3% (unchanged) and Social apathy/ Family breakdown/ Selfishness/ Moral decline 3% (up 1%).
Environmental issues are mentioned by just 10% (down 3%) of Australians as the most important problem facing Australia. The most important Environmental Issues mentioned are Climate Change/ Global Warming 6% (down 3%) and Other Environmental issues 3% (up 1%).
Analysis by State
Analysing by State shows different problems rated as most important across different States.
- New South Wales: The Economy/ Economic problems/ Interest rates (14%); Politics/ Leadership (11%); Refugees and Asylum seeker problems (7%) and Unemployment (7%);
- Victoria: Unemployment (19%); The Economy/ Economic problems/ Interest rates (10%); Politics/ Leadership (10%); Refugees and Asylum seeker problems (9%);
- Queensland: The Economy/ Economic problems/ Interest rates (15%); Politics/ Leadership (12%); Refugees and Asylum seeker problems (12%); Unemployment (11%);
- Western Australia: Refugees and Asylum seeker problems (14%); The Economy/ Economic problems/ Interest rates (11%); Politics/ Leadership (11%);
- South Australia: Unemployment (10%); Refugees and Asylum seeker problems (9%); The Economy/ Economic problems/ Interest rates (8%);
- Tasmania: Politics/ Leadership (20%); Unemployment (18%); Other Health issues (12%).
Australian views on Problems facing the World
The biggest World problems are Economic & Financial issues (34%, up 1% since October 2013). Within the broad group of Economic issues, Poverty/ the Gap between the Rich and Poor was mentioned by 14% (up 4%) followed by the Economy/ Economic problems/ Interest rates 8% (down 4%) ahead of Unemployment (4%, up 1%) and Overpopulation (3%, down 1%).
Next were Environmental Issues mentioned by 23% of Australians (down 7%) as the next biggest problem facing the World today. The most important Environmental issue is clearly Climate Change/ Global warming 13% (down 5%) followed by Famine/ Food shortages 5% (unchanged) and other Environmental Issues 4% (up 1%).
Social Issues are the next biggest problem according to Australians, 13% (up 4%). Social Apathy/ Family Breakdowns/ Selfishness/ Moral decline was mentioned by 5% (up 2%) and 3% (up 1%) mentioned Greed/ Materialism.
Terrorism/ Wars/ Security and Safety are mentioned by 11% (up 1%) led by Wars and Conflicts 7% (up 2%).
Michele Levine, CEO Roy Morgan says:
“It is no surprise that the latest Roy Morgan qualitative and quantitative research shows Economic and Financial Issues are once again the ‘most important problems’ facing Australia (39%, down 1% since October 2013) and the World (34%, up 1%) early in 2014.
“The New Year has begun with a raft of announcements by businesses cutting back on their Australian operations – Toyota announced it would cease manufacturing cars in Australia in 2017, following General Motors Holden and Ford who both announced the closure of their Australian car manufacturing plants last year. The closure of these car manufacturing operations will leave thousands of Australians out of work. In addition, this week Alcoa announced it will close parts of its Australian operations this August – leaving a further 1,000 Australians out of work.
“The largest problems facing Australia are The Economy/ Economic problems/ Interest rates 12% (down 2%), Unemployment 11% (up 2%), Politics and Leadership 11% (up 3%) and Refugees and Asylum seeker problems 9% (unchanged).
“Looking on a State level shows The Economy/ Economic problems/ Interest rates is the biggest problem facing Queensland (15%) and New South Wales (14%) while Unemployment is clearly the biggest problem facing Victoria (19%), and also a huge problem for Tasmania (18%), Queensland (11%) and South Australia (10%). Victoria and South Australia are traditionally home to Australia’s manufacturing industry which has been heavily impacted by many of the job losses. The biggest issue in Western Australia is Refugees and Asylum seeker problems (14%).
“The biggest Economic problems facing the World are Poverty and the gap between rich and poor 14% (up 4%) and The Economy/ Economic problems/ Interest rates 8% (down 4%). Other significant problems include Climate change/ Global warming 13% (down 5%), Wars and conflicts 7% (up 2%), Famine and Food shortages 5% (unchanged) and Social apathy/ Family breakdowns/ Selfishness/ Moral decline 5% (up 2%).”
These findings come from a special Roy Morgan telephone survey conducted in Australia on attitudes towards issues facing Australia and the World in the future.
In Australia, a cross-section of 664 men and women aged 14 or over were interviewed by telephone on the nights of February 4-6, 2014. Respondents were asked: “Firstly, what do you think is the most important problem facing the World today?” and “What do you think is the most important problem facing Australia today?”
The research conducted was both qualitative (in that people were asked to use their own words) and quantitative (in that the ‘open-ended’ responses were analysed and ‘coded’ so that the results could be counted and reported as percentages).
For further information:
Contact
|
Office
|
Mobile
|
Gary Morgan:
|
+61 3 9224 5213
|
+61 411 129 094
|
Michele Levine:
|
+61 3 9224 5215
|
+61 411 129 093
|


Most Important Problem Facing Australia
|
Australia
|
|
May
2012
|
July 2012
|
Nov
2012
|
Jan
2013
|
Apr
2013
|
July
2013
|
Aug
2013
|
Oct
2013
|
Feb
2014
|
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
The Economy/ Economic problems/ Interest rates
|
10
|
10
|
13
|
10
|
13
|
11
|
21
|
14
|
12
|
|
Housing affordability
|
*
|
-
|
*
|
1
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
2
|
2
|
|
Banks/ Bank interest rates
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
|
Cost of living issues/ Rising prices/ Inflation
|
5
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
2
|
4
|
4
|
2
|
1
|
|
Financial problems/ Money issues
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
3
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
|
General Taxation – Mining Tax, Resource Tax etc.
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
*
|
*
|
|
(SUB TOTAL) TOTAL Financial Issues/ Cost of living
|
18
|
14
|
18
|
18
|
19
|
18
|
29
|
19
|
17
|
|
Unemployment
|
11
|
6
|
5
|
8
|
8
|
10
|
11
|
9
|
11
|
|
Poverty, & Gap between rich and poor
|
2
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
3
|
4
|
|
Foreign ownership & investment/ Selling our assets
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
|
Farming/ Cut food imports and support our farmers
|
1
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
|
Globalisation/Fairer world trade
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
|
Homelessness/ Lack of housing
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
|
Over reliance on Mining Industry/ Impact of Mining
|
-
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
*
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
|
General Infrastructure/ Energy, Water, Internet etc.
|
1
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
1
|
*
|
|
Transport/ Transport infrastructure/ Road & rail
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
1
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
*
|
|
Approve Carbon Tax
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
1
|
-
|
*
|
-
|
|
Disapprove Carbon Tax
|
3
|
4
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
-
|
*
|
*
|
-
|
|
Over-population
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
|
TOTAL Economic/ Financial issues (INCLUDING Carbon Tax)
|
44
|
33
|
33
|
37
|
36
|
35
|
49
|
40
|
39
|
|
Refugees and Asylum seeker problems
|
4
|
16
|
12
|
6
|
8
|
13
|
12
|
9
|
9
|
|
Aboriginal Issues/ Health/ Rights
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
*
|
*
|
1
|
2
|
|
Immigration/ Immigration policy
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
2
|
|
Human rights (Including gay rights)
|
*
|
-
|
*
|
*
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
|
Multiculturalism/ Integration/ Assimilation
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
1
|
*
|
2
|
1
|
|
Racism/Racial tensions
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
|
Industrial relations reforms/ Strikes
|
*
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
|
Religion/ Religious fundamentalism
|
*
|
*
|
1
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
*
|
|
Intolerance/Discrimination
|
*
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
1
|
*
|
-
|
*
|
-
|
|
(SUB TOTAL) Religion/ Immigration/ Human Rights
|
8
|
21
|
18
|
14
|
15
|
18
|
17
|
17
|
16
|
|
Politics/ Leadership
|
14
|
16
|
17
|
13
|
15
|
16
|
8
|
8
|
11
|
|
TOTAL Religion/ Immigration/ Politics/ Leadership
|
22
|
37
|
35
|
27
|
30
|
34
|
24
|
26
|
27
|
|
Educational issues
|
2
|
3
|
2
|
3
|
5
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
|
Social apathy/Family breakdowns/ Selfishness/Moral decline
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
|
Anger/Violence/Aggression
|
*
|
*
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
1
|
|
Crime/ Law & Order
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
*
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
|
Drugs and drug abuse
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
|
Greed/ Materialism
|
1
|
1
|
*
|
*
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
|
Corporate Greed
|
*
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
|
Corruption
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
-
|
*
|
*
|
-
|
*
|
*
|
|
Youth issues (Homelessness/ Apathy etc.)
|
2
|
*
|
1
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
*
|
|
TOTAL Social Issues
|
8
|
8
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
9
|
9
|
8
|
11
|
|
Climate Change/ Global warming
|
3
|
4
|
3
|
7
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
9
|
6
|
|
Other Environmental issues
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
|
Drought
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
-
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
1
|
|
Famine/ Food shortages
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
1
|
*
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
|
Natural disasters – Floods, Earthquakes, Bushfires
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
*
|
|
Pollution/ Rubbish
|
1
|
1
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
-
|
*
|
*
|
|
Water conservation
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
*
|
*
|
1
|
*
|
|
Approve Carbon Tax
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
1
|
-
|
*
|
-
|
|
Disapprove Carbon Tax
|
3
|
4
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
-
|
*
|
*
|
-
|
|
Climate change concerns are exaggerated
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
-
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
TOTAL Environmental Issues
|
13
|
12
|
8
|
11
|
8
|
7
|
7
|
13
|
10
|
|
Other health issues
|
3
|
3
|
4
|
3
|
4
|
3
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
|
Hospitals
|
*
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
|
TOTAL Health Issues
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
3
|
5
|
5
|
4
|
|
Sustainable management of natural resources
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
|
Energy crisis
|
*
|
*
|
1
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
|
Depletion of fossil fuels
|
1
|
*
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
-
|
|
Petrol prices
|
*
|
*
|
-
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
|
TOTAL Energy Crisis/ Depletion of Fossil Fuels/Petrol Price
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
|
Relations with other countries, Indonesia, USA etc.
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
1
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
|
Security, Safety
|
*
|
*
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
*
|
|
Terrorism
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
|
Wars and conflicts
|
1
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
1
|
*
|
-
|
*
|
*
|
|
World Peace
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
|
TOTAL Terrorism/Wars/Security/Safety
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
|
Other
|
1
|
3
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
|
Can’t say
|
8
|
5
|
8
|
5
|
7
|
8
|
4
|
6
|
6
|
|
TOTAL
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
|
*Less than 1%.
Most Important Problem Facing Australia
|
Australia
|
|
Feb
2014
%
|
STATES
|
CITY/COUNTRY
|
NSW
|
VIC
|
QLD
|
WA
|
SA
|
TAS#
|
CITY
|
COUNTRY
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
The Economy/ Economic problems/ Interest rates
|
12
|
14
|
10
|
15
|
11
|
8
|
5
|
12
|
13
|
Housing affordability
|
2
|
3
|
2
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
2
|
Banks/ Bank interest rates
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
1
|
Cost of living issues/ Rising prices/ Inflation
|
1
|
1
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
Financial problems/ Money issues
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
1
|
4
|
7
|
1
|
2
|
General Taxation – Mining Tax, Resource Tax etc.
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
(SUB TOTAL) TOTAL Financial Issues/ Cost of living
|
17
|
19
|
14
|
20
|
15
|
13
|
12
|
17
|
18
|
Unemployment
|
11
|
7
|
19
|
11
|
6
|
10
|
18
|
11
|
12
|
Poverty, & Gap between rich and poor
|
4
|
5
|
5
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
-
|
4
|
3
|
Foreign ownership & investment/ Selling our assets
|
2
|
1
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
4
|
-
|
1
|
3
|
Farming/ Cut food imports and support our farmers
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
2
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
Globalisation/Fairer world trade
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
2
|
1
|
Homelessness/ Lack of housing
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
1
|
2
|
Over reliance on Mining/ Impact of Mining
|
1
|
*
|
-
|
1
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
General Infrastructure/ Energy, Water, Internet etc.
|
*
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
1
|
Transport/ Transport infrastructure/ Road & rail
|
*
|
*
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
-
|
Approve Carbon Tax
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Disapprove Carbon Tax
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Over-population
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
TOTAL Economic/ Financial issues (INCLUDING Carbon Tax)
|
39
|
37
|
46
|
38
|
28
|
41
|
30
|
38
|
41
|
Refugees and Asylum seeker problems
|
9
|
7
|
9
|
12
|
14
|
9
|
-
|
10
|
8
|
Aboriginal Issues/ Health/ Rights
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
1
|
Immigration/ Immigration policy
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
5
|
2
|
-
|
2
|
*
|
Multiculturalism/ Integration/ Assimilation
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
1
|
1
|
Human rights (Including gay rights)
|
1
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
Racism/Racial tensions
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
1
|
1
|
Industrial relations reforms/ Strikes
|
*
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
Religion/ Religious fundamentalism
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
Intolerance/Discrimination
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(SUB TOTAL) Religion/ Immigration/ Human Rights
|
16
|
15
|
14
|
17
|
22
|
13
|
8
|
18
|
13
|
Politics/ Leadership
|
11
|
11
|
10
|
12
|
11
|
9
|
20
|
11
|
11
|
TOTAL Religion/ Immigration/ Politics/ Leadership
|
27
|
26
|
24
|
28
|
34
|
22
|
28
|
29
|
23
|
Educational issues
|
3
|
4
|
2
|
3
|
3
|
-
|
6
|
3
|
3
|
Social apathy/Family breakdowns/ Selfishness/Moral decline
|
3
|
2
|
5
|
3
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
3
|
4
|
Anger/Violence/Aggression
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
Crime/ Law & Order
|
1
|
2
|
-
|
2
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
Drugs and drug abuse
|
1
|
1
|
*
|
3
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
2
|
Greed/ Materialism
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
1
|
2
|
Corporate Greed
|
*
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
Corruption
|
*
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
1
|
Youth issues (Homelessness/ Apathy etc.)
|
*
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
*
|
TOTAL Social Issues
|
11
|
12
|
11
|
15
|
9
|
3
|
6
|
10
|
13
|
Climate Change/ Global warming
|
6
|
6
|
6
|
4
|
7
|
8
|
6
|
8
|
3
|
Other Environmental issues
|
3
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
6
|
6
|
2
|
4
|
Drought
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
Famine/ Food shortages
|
*
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
1
|
Natural disasters – Floods, Earthquakes, Bushfires
|
*
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
*
|
Pollution/ Rubbish
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
Water conservation
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
-
|
Approve Carbon Tax
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Disapprove Carbon Tax
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Climate change concerns are exaggerated
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
TOTAL Environmental Issues
|
10
|
10
|
9
|
8
|
13
|
15
|
12
|
12
|
8
|
Other health issues
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
-
|
4
|
6
|
12
|
3
|
5
|
Hospitals
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
TOTAL Health Issues
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
-
|
4
|
6
|
12
|
3
|
5
|
Sustainable management of natural resources
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
-
|
6
|
1
|
1
|
Energy crisis
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
Depletion of fossil fuels
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Petrol prices
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
TOTAL Energy Crisis/ Depletion of Fossil Fuels/Petrol Price
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
5
|
6
|
2
|
1
|
Relations with other countries
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
-
|
Security, Safety
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
-
|
Terrorism
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
*
|
-
|
Wars and conflicts
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
World Peace
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
TOTAL Terrorism/Wars/Security/Safety
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
3
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
Other
|
*
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
-
|
Can’t say
|
6
|
9
|
5
|
8
|
7
|
7
|
6
|
5
|
8
|
TOTAL
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
*Less than 1%. #Sample sizes under 50 should be treated with caution.
Most Important Problem Facing the World
|
The World
|
|
May
2012
|
July
2012
|
Nov
2012
|
Jan
2013
|
Apr
2013
|
July
2013
|
Aug
2013
|
Oct
2013
|
Feb
2014
|
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
The Economy/ Economic problems/ Interest rates
|
14
|
18
|
18
|
14
|
13
|
13
|
23
|
12
|
8
|
|
Cost of living issues/ Rising prices/ Inflation
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
*
|
1
|
1
|
|
Financial problems/ Money issues
|
5
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
3
|
4
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
|
General Taxation – Mining Tax, Resource Tax etc.
|
*
|
-
|
*
|
1
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
-
|
*
|
|
Housing affordability
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
*
|
-
|
|
Banks/ Bank interest rates
|
-
|
*
|
*
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
(SUB TOTAL) TOTAL Financial Issues/ Cost of living
|
22
|
24
|
24
|
20
|
17
|
19
|
26
|
15
|
10
|
|
Poverty, & Gap between rich and poor
|
10
|
14
|
11
|
9
|
8
|
12
|
12
|
10
|
14
|
|
Unemployment
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
4
|
2
|
2
|
5
|
3
|
4
|
|
Over-population
|
4
|
4
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
3
|
|
Globalisation/Fairer world trade
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
|
Farming/ Cut food imports and support our farmers
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
|
General Infrastructure/ Energy, Water, Internet etc.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
-
|
*
|
|
Homelessness/ Lack of housing
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
1
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
*
|
|
Approve Carbon Tax
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Disapprove Carbon Tax
|
1
|
1
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
|
Foreign ownership & investment/ Selling our assets
|
-
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
*
|
-
|
|
Transport/ Transport infrastructure/ Road & rail
|
-
|
1
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
TOTAL Economic/ Financial issues (INCLUDING Carbon Tax)
|
42
|
46
|
42
|
37
|
32
|
39
|
48
|
33
|
34
|
|
Climate Change/ Global warming
|
10
|
10
|
9
|
13
|
10
|
12
|
10
|
18
|
13
|
|
Famine/ Food shortages
|
5
|
7
|
3
|
3
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
5
|
5
|
|
Other Environmental issues
|
3
|
2
|
3
|
3
|
3
|
5
|
3
|
3
|
4
|
|
Pollution/ Rubbish
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
|
Climate Change concerns are exaggerated
|
*
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
|
Water conservation
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
1
|
*
|
|
Approve Carbon Tax
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Disapprove Carbon Tax
|
1
|
1
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
|
Drought
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Natural disasters – Floods, Earthquakes, Bushfires
|
*
|
-
|
*
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
-
|
|
TOTAL Environmental Issues
|
21
|
22
|
17
|
20
|
18
|
22
|
17
|
30
|
23
|
|
Social apathy/Family breakdowns/ Selfishness/Moral decline
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
3
|
5
|
|
Greed/ Materialism
|
2
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
|
Anger/Violence/Aggression
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
2
|
|
Corporate Greed
|
1
|
*
|
*
|
1
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
|
Corruption
|
*
|
*
|
1
|
1
|
*
|
*
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
|
Drugs and drug abuse
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
*
|
*
|
1
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
|
Educational issues
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
|
Crime/ Law & Order
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
*
|
|
Youth issues (Homelessness/ Apathy etc.)
|
*
|
*
|
-
|
1
|
*
|
*
|
-
|
*
|
*
|
|
TOTAL Social Issues
|
8
|
8
|
11
|
14
|
9
|
8
|
7
|
9
|
13
|
|
Wars and conflicts
|
7
|
4
|
8
|
6
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
7
|
|
World Peace
|
2
|
1
|
3
|
2
|
3
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
|
Terrorism
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
10
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
|
Relations with other countries
|
-
|
*
|
*
|
1
|
*
|
-
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
|
Security, Safety
|
1
|
-
|
*
|
*
|
2
|
*
|
1
|
*
|
*
|
|
TOTAL Terrorism/Wars/Security/Safety
|
10
|
7
|
13
|
11
|
21
|
8
|
10
|
10
|
11
|
|
Refugees and Asylum seeker problems
|
*
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
5
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
|
Human rights (Including gay rights)
|
*
|
1
|
*
|
*
|
1
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
1
|
|
Racism/Racial tensions
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
1
|
*
|
*
|
1
|
|
Religion/ Religious fundamentalism
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
|
Immigration/ Immigration policy
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
1
|
*
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
*
|
|
Aboriginal Issues/ Health/ Rights
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Intolerance/Discrimination
|
1
|
-
|
*
|
1
|
1
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
-
|
|
Multiculturalism/ Integration/ Assimilation
|
*
|
-
|
*
|
*
|
1
|
-
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
|
(SUB TOTAL) Religion/ Immigration/ Human Rights
|
4
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
7
|
9
|
6
|
6
|
5
|
|
Politics/ Leadership
|
4
|
3
|
4
|
4
|
3
|
4
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
|
TOTAL Religion/ Immigration / Politics/ Leadership
|
8
|
8
|
9
|
9
|
9
|
13
|
8
|
8
|
7
|
|
Other health issues
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
2
|
|
Hospitals
|
*
|
-
|
*
|
*
|
*
|
-
|
*
|
*
|
1
|
|
TOTAL Health Issues
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
3
|
|
Sustainable management of natural resources
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
|
Energy crisis
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
*
|
-
|
1
|
*
|
-
|
*
|
|
Depletion of fossil fuels
|
1
|
-
|
*
|
-
|
*
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Petrol prices
|
1
|
*
|
-
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
*
|
-
|
|
TOTAL Energy Crisis/ Depletion of Fossil Fuels/Petrol Price
|
4
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
|
Other
|
1
|
3
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
*
|
*
|
1
|
|
Can’t say
|
5
|
3
|
4
|
4
|
6
|
5
|
6
|
5
|
6
|
|
TOTAL
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
|
*Less than 1%.
Most Important Problem Facing the World
|
The World
|
|
Feb
2014
|
STATES
|
CITY/COUNTRY
|
NSW
|
VIC
|
QLD
|
WA
|
SA
|
TAS#
|
CITY
|
COUNTRY
|
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
The Economy/ Economic problems/ Interest rates
|
8
|
6
|
9
|
6
|
15
|
5
|
16
|
9
|
6
|
Cost of living issues/ Rising prices/ Inflation
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
2
|
Financial problems/ Money issues
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
3
|
3
|
6
|
1
|
1
|
General Taxation – Mining Tax, Resource Tax etc.
|
*
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
*
|
1
|
Housing affordability
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Banks/ Bank interest rates
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(SUB TOTAL) TOTAL Financial Issues/ Cost of living
|
10
|
8
|
12
|
8
|
18
|
11
|
22
|
11
|
9
|
Poverty, & Gap between rich and poor
|
14
|
17
|
16
|
10
|
12
|
13
|
9
|
16
|
11
|
Unemployment
|
4
|
4
|
5
|
4
|
1
|
6
|
12
|
4
|
6
|
Over-population
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
9
|
2
|
7
|
3
|
5
|
Globalisation/Fairer world trade
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
-Farming/ Cut food imports and support our farmers
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
*
|
-
|
General Infrastructure/ Energy, Water, Internet etc.
|
*
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
-
|
Homelessness/ Lack of housing
|
*
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
*
|
Approve Carbon Tax
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Disapprove Carbon Tax
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Foreign ownership & investment/ Selling our assets
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Transport/ Transport infrastructure/ Road & rail
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
TOTAL Economic/ Financial issues (INCLUDING Carbon Tax)
|
34
|
34
|
36
|
26
|
41
|
35
|
49
|
35
|
32
|
Climate Change/ Global warming
|
13
|
13
|
13
|
13
|
12
|
13
|
15
|
16
|
8
|
Famine/ Food shortages
|
5
|
5
|
3
|
7
|
5
|
4
|
-
|
4
|
6
|
Other Environmental issues
|
4
|
5
|
3
|
3
|
2
|
5
|
6
|
3
|
6
|
Pollution/ Rubbish
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
Climate Change concerns are exaggerated
|
*
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
-
|
Water conservation
|
*
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
Approve Carbon Tax
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Disapprove Carbon Tax
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Drought
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Natural disasters – Floods, Earthquakes, Bushfires
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
TOTAL Environmental Issues
|
23
|
25
|
21
|
24
|
21
|
23
|
21
|
25
|
21
|
Social apathy/Family breakdowns/ Selfishness/Moral decline
|
5
|
4
|
4
|
8
|
5
|
6
|
6
|
5
|
6
|
Greed/ Materialism
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
3
|
5
|
4
|
6
|
3
|
3
|
Anger/Violence/Aggression
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
2
|
Corporate Greed
|
1
|
*
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
Corruption
|
1
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
Drugs and drug abuse
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
Educational issues
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
Crime/ Law & Order
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
*
|
1
|
Youth issues (Homelessness/ Apathy etc.)
|
*
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
*
|
*
|
TOTAL Social Issues
|
13
|
9
|
13
|
19
|
14
|
15
|
12
|
11
|
17
|
Wars and conflicts
|
7
|
7
|
5
|
9
|
5
|
7
|
12
|
8
|
5
|
World Peace
|
3
|
3
|
4
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
3
|
Terrorism
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
Relations with other countries
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
Security, Safety
|
*
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
*
|
*
|
TOTAL Terrorism/Wars/Security/Safety
|
11
|
11
|
10
|
13
|
10
|
9
|
12
|
11
|
10
|
Refugees and Asylum seeker problems
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
-
|
2
|
1
|
Human rights (Including gay rights)
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
Racism/Racial tensions
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
*
|
Religion/ Religious fundamentalism
|
1
|
2
|
-
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
-
|
2
|
2
|
Immigration/ Immigration policy
|
*
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
*
|
-
|
Aboriginal Issues/ Health/ Rights
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Intolerance/Discrimination
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Multiculturalism/ Integration/ Assimilation
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(SUB TOTAL) Religion/ Immigration/ Human Rights
|
5
|
6
|
5
|
3
|
5
|
3
|
-
|
5
|
5
|
Politics/ Leadership
|
2
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
4
|
TOTAL Religion/ Immigration/ Politics/ Leadership
|
7
|
9
|
7
|
5
|
10
|
3
|
-
|
7
|
8
|
Other health issues
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
4
|
Hospitals
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
5
|
6
|
1
|
1
|
TOTAL Health Issues
|
3
|
1
|
3
|
4
|
-
|
5
|
6
|
1
|
5
|
Sustainable management of natural resources
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
2
|
1
|
Energy crisis
|
*
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
Depletion of fossil fuels
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Petrol prices
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
TOTAL Energy Crisis/ Depletion of Fossil Fuels/Petrol Price
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
2
|
2
|
Other
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
Can’t say
|
6
|
8
|
7
|
5
|
4
|
8
|
-
|
7
|
4
|
TOTAL
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
*Less than 1%. #Sample sizes under 50 should be treated with caution.