Post election, healthcare and ageing still most top of mind issues for Australians, ahead of the environment, economy and wages in JWS Research’s latest True Issues survey. Four months after the Royal Commission into Aged Care, Australians continue to be concerned about caring for an ageing population, as well as rising healthcare costs and ease of access to good quality care.
Australians are feeling more positive about the performance of business and government than four months ago, the previous wave of the JWS Research True Issues survey. They view conditions as more stable after the return of the incumbent Federal Government and perceived end to leadership changes and instability within the Coalition.
Coming out of its recent election win, Government performance across key areas remains steady and defence, security and terrorism remains its best performing area in JWS Research’s latest True Issues survey.
The Federal Budget and Election may loom large, but the Australian Government’s performance rating remains unchanged since before the leadership spill in late August 2018, although this is similar to public sentiment leading into the 2016 Federal Election, which the Coalition won.
When asked to name up to three issues that personally interest or concern them the most that the Australian Government should focus on, issues related to hospitals, healthcare and ageing emerges a top concern for Australians, followed by issues around immigration and border security, and the environment and climate change.
Australians’ overall optimism about their own personal situation has rebounded somewhat since November 2018. Significantly fewer feel they are headed in the wrong direction and slightly more feel they are now headed in the right direction.