Most Australians are happy with how the country has handled the COVID-19 pandemic but they're more divided on the question of border closures, a new survey suggests.
More than a year after the nation’s borders were closed, preventing Australians from travelling overseas without an exemption, a Lowy Institute poll has shown only two in 10, or 18 per cent of people, feel all Australians should be free to leave the country.
The survey was conducted between 15 and 29 March 2021, with a sample size of 2,222 adults.
Almost half of those polled - 41 per cent - agreed with the current policy that requires people to have special exemptions to be allowed to leave the country.
But equally, 40 per cent also believed those who have been vaccinated should be free to leave.
Vaccination as a prerequisite for international travel was largely supported by most older Australians, with those aged over 60 more likely to support the idea.
Only a third of Australians aged 18-59 said those vaccinated should be free to leave now.
Natasha Kassam, the director of the Lowy Institute’s public opinion and foreign policy program, said while most people appeared to be impressed by Australia's handling of the pandemic, there were signs of frustration with the length of time borders have been closed.
“While many Australians may think of closed borders as a limitation on tourism or business travel, it's important to remember that a third of Australia’s population was born overseas,” she told SBS News.
“Many families have been separated during this pandemic.”
The results also showed many Australians see being vaccinated as a pre-condition of reopening Australia to the world.
“Although four in ten Australians support the current policy, you can see the same number want to be able to leave after they have been vaccinated [but] this is not yet government policy,” Ms Kassam said.
The poll also sheds light on how Australians rate the federal government’s response to help citizens stuck overseas.
Almost 60 per cent feel the government has done enough to help fellow citizens return home, while a third disagreed.
However, those responses came before the federal government controversially announced that from Monday
Australians also rate the nation’s handling of the pandemic highly.
Almost all of those surveyed - 95 per cent - say COVID-19 has been managed “very well” or “fairly well” so far.
Australians lauded Taiwan’s handling of the pandemic above China’s. And although more Australians felt China had done better this year than last, fewer than half - 45 per cent - felt China has handled COVID-19 fairly or very well.
They were also asked about India, but the responses came before the latest COVID-19 wave that’s seen a devastating spike in cases and deaths.
The United States was rated the worst of the six countries. No Australians felt the US had handled COVID-19 very well, while a whopping 92 per cent said the pandemic was managed very or fairly badly there.
Ms Kassam expects to see these attitudes to the US change next year.
“The negative view of the United States handling shows just how deep a legacy has been left by the tragedy of America’s difficulties under COVID-19, though it is surprising that views have not rebounded given the impressive vaccine rollout this year,” she said.
Australians also want to help our closest neighbours with vaccines.
More than 80 per cent say Australia should help Pacific Island countries pay for vaccines, while 60 per cent feel the same for southeast Asian nations.
Australia has pledged $800 million to fund vaccines in Pacific Island and southeast Asian countries.
