Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CANBERRA998
2008-09-30 07:18:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Canberra
Cable title:
POLL: AUSTRALIANS MORE FAVORABLE TOWARD U.S., WARY
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CANBERRA 000998
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR SENV SCUL CH AS
SUBJECT: POLL: AUSTRALIANS MORE FAVORABLE TOWARD U.S., WARY
OF CHINA
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CANBERRA 000998
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR SENV SCUL CH AS
SUBJECT: POLL: AUSTRALIANS MORE FAVORABLE TOWARD U.S., WARY
OF CHINA
1. (U) SUMMARY: According to the 2008 annual poll by the Lowy
Institute in Sydney, support among Australians for the United
States has risen, while the public has become increasingly
wary of China. Support for Australia's security alliance
with the United States has reached its highest level since
the Lowy Poll began in 2005. However, there is increasing
opposition to Australia's military involvement in
Afghanistan, and approximately two-thirds of those surveyed
believe Australia takes too much notice of the United States
in developing foreign policy. Trust in China to act
responsibly has declined. A majority believe Australia
should join with other nations to limit China's influence and
a third believe the rise of China is a threat to Australia's
vital interest. Sixty-two percent of those polled said the
Australian Government was not doing enough to pressure China
to improve human rights. This poll was taken in July, prior
to the media focus on the financial crisis in the United
States. END SUMMARY.
VIEWS TOWARD U.S. IMPROVE BUT SUPPORT FOR AFGHANISTAN FALLS
2. (U) The Lowy Institute has conducted an annual survey of
Australian attitudes toward foreign policy and other
countries since 2005. In 2007, 60 percent of those surveyed
had a favorable attitude toward the United States, below the
UK at 75 percent, Singapore at 64 percent and Japan at 63
percent. China was at 56 percent. This year, support for
the U.S. has risen to 64 percent, equal to Japan and only
slightly below Singapore. China remains at 56 percent.
Support for the ANZUS Alliance has bounced back from earlier
declines. This year, 76 percent believe it is fairly or very
important for Australia's security. It was 72 percent in
2005; 70 percent in 2006, and 63 percent in 2007.
3. (U) The United States is trusted "a great deal" by 24
percent to act responsibly in the world - significantly ahead
of China, Japan, Russia and India. This is a five point
improvement since 2006, the last time this question was
asked. However, 65 percent believe Australia takes too much
notice of the United States in formulating its foreign policy
- little change from previous years. Fifty-six percent of
those polled are against continuing Australian involvement in
Afghanistan. This has increased from 46 percent in 2007.
NERVOUS ABOUT CHINA
4. (U) While a majority say China's growth has been good for
Australia, there is growing apprehension about its increasing
influence in international affairs. Thirty-four percent view
China as a "critical threat" to Australia's vital interest -
an increase of 9 points since 2006. Only 7 percent trust
China "a great deal" to act responsibly in the world (no
change),while 21 percent trust China "not at all" - an
increase of 10 points. Fifty-one percent believe Australia
should join with other countries to limit China's influence.
Sixty-four percent believe Australia's interests would be
harmed if China's influence increased and 60 percent believe
China's aim is to dominate Asia. Sixty-two percent of those
surveyed believe Australia is not doing enough to pressure
China on human rights.
CLIMATE CHANGE BIG ISSUE AND SO IS WHALING AND
NONPROLIFERATION
5. (U) When asked what were the greatest threats facing
Australia, the survey's respondents listed the increasing
QAustralia, the survey's respondents listed the increasing
scarcity of water (83 percent),global warming (66),and
international terrorism (66). Fifty-eight percent of those
surveyed thought Australia should do more to pressure Japan
to stop all whaling, even at the risk of losing valuable
trade deals. A huge number, 88 percent, agreed Australia
should not export uranium to countries that have not signed
the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.
CHANGE OF GOVERNMENTS A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR?
6. (SBU) COMMENT: Since the 2007 poll, the major event in
Australia has been a change of government from the
conservative John Howard administration to the government of
Labor Party leader Kevin Rudd. The Rudd Government has also
withdrawn Australian combat troops from their unpopular
deployment to Iraq and signed the Kyoto Protocol. The
popular Rudd is a strong supporter of the United States, but
his government is perceived by many Australians as being more
CANBERRA 00000998 002 OF 002
independent in its foreign policy. The uptick in support for
the U.S. may also be related to the growing anxiety about the
rise of China. There is also intense interest here in the
upcoming U.S. elections and this may have also affected the
poll figures regarding the United States. The survey was
conducted prior to widespread coverage of the U.S. financial
crisis.
MCCALLUM
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR SENV SCUL CH AS
SUBJECT: POLL: AUSTRALIANS MORE FAVORABLE TOWARD U.S., WARY
OF CHINA
1. (U) SUMMARY: According to the 2008 annual poll by the Lowy
Institute in Sydney, support among Australians for the United
States has risen, while the public has become increasingly
wary of China. Support for Australia's security alliance
with the United States has reached its highest level since
the Lowy Poll began in 2005. However, there is increasing
opposition to Australia's military involvement in
Afghanistan, and approximately two-thirds of those surveyed
believe Australia takes too much notice of the United States
in developing foreign policy. Trust in China to act
responsibly has declined. A majority believe Australia
should join with other nations to limit China's influence and
a third believe the rise of China is a threat to Australia's
vital interest. Sixty-two percent of those polled said the
Australian Government was not doing enough to pressure China
to improve human rights. This poll was taken in July, prior
to the media focus on the financial crisis in the United
States. END SUMMARY.
VIEWS TOWARD U.S. IMPROVE BUT SUPPORT FOR AFGHANISTAN FALLS
2. (U) The Lowy Institute has conducted an annual survey of
Australian attitudes toward foreign policy and other
countries since 2005. In 2007, 60 percent of those surveyed
had a favorable attitude toward the United States, below the
UK at 75 percent, Singapore at 64 percent and Japan at 63
percent. China was at 56 percent. This year, support for
the U.S. has risen to 64 percent, equal to Japan and only
slightly below Singapore. China remains at 56 percent.
Support for the ANZUS Alliance has bounced back from earlier
declines. This year, 76 percent believe it is fairly or very
important for Australia's security. It was 72 percent in
2005; 70 percent in 2006, and 63 percent in 2007.
3. (U) The United States is trusted "a great deal" by 24
percent to act responsibly in the world - significantly ahead
of China, Japan, Russia and India. This is a five point
improvement since 2006, the last time this question was
asked. However, 65 percent believe Australia takes too much
notice of the United States in formulating its foreign policy
- little change from previous years. Fifty-six percent of
those polled are against continuing Australian involvement in
Afghanistan. This has increased from 46 percent in 2007.
NERVOUS ABOUT CHINA
4. (U) While a majority say China's growth has been good for
Australia, there is growing apprehension about its increasing
influence in international affairs. Thirty-four percent view
China as a "critical threat" to Australia's vital interest -
an increase of 9 points since 2006. Only 7 percent trust
China "a great deal" to act responsibly in the world (no
change),while 21 percent trust China "not at all" - an
increase of 10 points. Fifty-one percent believe Australia
should join with other countries to limit China's influence.
Sixty-four percent believe Australia's interests would be
harmed if China's influence increased and 60 percent believe
China's aim is to dominate Asia. Sixty-two percent of those
surveyed believe Australia is not doing enough to pressure
China on human rights.
CLIMATE CHANGE BIG ISSUE AND SO IS WHALING AND
NONPROLIFERATION
5. (U) When asked what were the greatest threats facing
Australia, the survey's respondents listed the increasing
QAustralia, the survey's respondents listed the increasing
scarcity of water (83 percent),global warming (66),and
international terrorism (66). Fifty-eight percent of those
surveyed thought Australia should do more to pressure Japan
to stop all whaling, even at the risk of losing valuable
trade deals. A huge number, 88 percent, agreed Australia
should not export uranium to countries that have not signed
the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.
CHANGE OF GOVERNMENTS A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR?
6. (SBU) COMMENT: Since the 2007 poll, the major event in
Australia has been a change of government from the
conservative John Howard administration to the government of
Labor Party leader Kevin Rudd. The Rudd Government has also
withdrawn Australian combat troops from their unpopular
deployment to Iraq and signed the Kyoto Protocol. The
popular Rudd is a strong supporter of the United States, but
his government is perceived by many Australians as being more
CANBERRA 00000998 002 OF 002
independent in its foreign policy. The uptick in support for
the U.S. may also be related to the growing anxiety about the
rise of China. There is also intense interest here in the
upcoming U.S. elections and this may have also affected the
poll figures regarding the United States. The survey was
conducted prior to widespread coverage of the U.S. financial
crisis.
MCCALLUM