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A detailed poll on the AUKUS nuclear submarines deal finds strong support among Labor and Coalition voters alike.

The Age/Herald published a Resolve Strategic poll on Saturday concerning AUKUS and nuclear submarines, which I held back on doing a post on because I thought voting intention results might follow. That hasnt happened yet, so here goes.

As is perhaps unavoidable with the matter at hand, respondents were given fairly lengthly explanations of the relevant issues before having their opinions gauged on them, such that the results need to be considered carefully alongside what was actually asked. The first outlined the proposed acquisition and pointed out both the expense and the expectation that it would create 20,000 jobs, and found 50% in favour and 17% opposed. Breakdowns by party support found near identical results for Labor and Coalition results, with weaker support among an others category inclusive of both the Greens and minor parties of the right.

The second question asked respondents how they felt specifically about Australian submarines being nuclear-powered, finding 25% actively supportive, 39% considering the notion acceptable, and 17% actively opposed. The third put it to respondents that the federal government has hitherto being committed to spending 2% of GDP on defence, and that Anthony Albanese says he would like to spend more: 39% concurred, 31% said it should remain as is, and 9% felt it should be reduced. Finally, 46% felt large single-party states, like Russia and China were a threat to Australia, but one that could be carefully managed; 36% felt they were a threat that needed to be confronted soon; and 8% felt they were no threat at all.

The sample was conducted last Sunday to Thursday from a sample of 1600.

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.View all posts by William Bowe

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Resolve Strategic nuclear subs poll (open thread) The Poll Bludger - The Poll Bludger