A majority of Australians support higher immigration and an Australian population over 30 million

Today 57% (up 22% since July 2010) of Australians support an Australian population of over 30 million in 30 years’ time – a stunning increase from only five years ago. Only 9% (down 15%) support a population of under 25 million, a further 23% (down 9%) support a population of 25-30 million and 11% (up 2%) can’t say.

A clear majority of Australians 69% (up 11%) support immigration (of 210,000 in 2013/14) remaining the same 37% (down 10%) or increasing 32% (up 21%) while 26% (down 14%) want immigration levels reduced and 5% (up 3%) can’t say.

Importantly, more Australians believe immigration has a positive effect on Australia 37% (up 4%) than a negative effect 31% (up 1%) while 19% (down 2%) believe immigration has little effect and 13% (down 3%) can’t say according to a special Morgan Poll conducted over three nights last week with a cross-section of 647 Australians aged 14+.

Not surprisingly, a vast majority of Australians support both Skilled migrant immigration (89% cf. 8% oppose) and Family reunion migration (79% cf. 16% oppose).

In addition, the negative debate about Muslims and Asylum seekers has had little impact on how Australians consider these types of migration – 65% of Australians support Muslim immigration up from 54% support in July 2010, while 28% of Australians oppose Muslim immigration.

A large majority of Australians support Asylum seeker immigration (71% up from 52% support in July 2010) while 21% of Australians oppose Asylum immigration.

Analysing by Federal Voting Intention

However, a political divide emerges for both Muslim and Asylum seeker immigration:

For Muslim immigration:

• Greens supporters heavily support Muslim immigration (95% support cf. 1% oppose);
• ALP supporters also clearly support Muslim immigration (74% support cf. 20% oppose);
• L-NP supporters are more evenly split on Muslim immigration (54% support cf. 41% oppose).

For Asylum seeker immigration:

• Greens supporters heavily support Asylum seeker immigration (95% support cf. 0% oppose);
• ALP supporters clearly support  Asylum seeker immigration (78% support cf. 17% oppose);
• A majority of L-NP supporters support Asylum seeker immigration (59% support cf. 34% oppose).

Gary Morgan says:

“Despite recent media coverage about the dangers of Islamic terrorism – a clear majority of Australians support Muslim immigration (65% support cf. 28% oppose) – this is significantly higher than five years ago in July 2010 when 54% supported and 35% opposed Muslim immigration. A large majority of Australians also support Asylum seeker immigration (71% support cf. 21% oppose) compared to a closer split in July 2010 (52% support cf. 39% oppose).

“Significantly, a rising number of Australians support a ‘bigger Australia’ – now 69% (up 11% since July 2010) of Australians say they want immigration levels of about 210,000 immigrants in 2013/14 to either be increased 32% (up 21%) or remain about the same 37% (down 10%). Only 26% (down 14%) of Australians want Australia’s immigration levels to be reduced.

“The support for maintaining or increasing current levels of immigration is also reflected in the clear desire for Australia to have a larger population. Now 57% (up 22% since July 2010) of Australians wants Australia to have a population of over 30 million in 30 years’ time – this is the first time a majority of Australians have wanted Australia to have a population of over 30 million. Now only 9% (down 15%) of Australians want Australia to have a population of under 25 million in 30 years’ time. Australia’s current population is just under 24 million.”

These are the main insights from the special Roy Morgan telephone survey conducted over the three nights of October 13-15, 2015, with an Australia-wide cross-section of 647 men and women aged 14 or over.

For the ‘poll-watchers’ out there this latest telephone Morgan Poll revealed a two-party preferred lead for the L-NP 54% cf. ALP 46% based on how a cross-section of 601 Australian electors said they would vote – similar to the latest Morgan Poll conducted over the last two weekends which showed the L-NP 56% cf. ALP 44% on a two-party preferred basis.

Immigration Levels

When Australians were asked: “Over the last year (2013/14) about 210,000 immigrants came to Australia. Do you think the number of people coming here to live permanently should be increased, or reduced, or remain about the same?”

 Of Australians 32% said that immigration should be ‘increased,’ while 26% say it should be ‘reduced’ and 37% say it should ‘remain about the same.’ Only 5% of Australians can’t say.

* In 1952 immigration level asked about was not stated; 1955 & 1956 – 125,000; 1958 – 100,000; 1969 – 160,000; 1970 – 180,000; 2010 – 170,000.

*The results for political affiliation are based only on interviews conducted with Australian electors. (1952 – 1970 electors were aged 21 & over. Whereas for 2010 electors are now aged 18 & over). # Sample sizes less than 50 should be treated with caution.

Immigrants effect on Australian Life

Respondents were then asked: “Judging by what you see and hear, do you think immigrants are changing Australia’s culture and way of life – or having little effect.”

Respondents who responded that immigrants are changing us were then asked: “Do you think immigrants are changing Australia’s culture and way of life for better or for worse?”

# Sample sizes less than 50 should be treated with caution.

Australian Population Size

Respondents were then asked: “Australia’s population has increased by 6 million from 18 million to 24 million over the last 20 years. What population do you think we should aim to have in Australia in 30 years – that is, by 2045?”

# Sample sizes less than 50 should be treated with caution.

Types of Immigrant to Australia

Respondents were then asked: “Please say whether you support or oppose (Muslim / Asylum seeker/ Skilled migrant/ Family reunion) immigration?”

Muslim immigration

# Sample sizes less than 50 should be treated with caution.

Asylum seeker immigration

# Sample sizes less than 50 should be treated with caution.

Skilled migrant immigration

# Sample sizes less than 50 should be treated with caution.

Family reunion immigration

# Sample sizes less than 50 should be treated with caution.

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