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In the first Australia-wide poll since US President George W Bush addressed the United Nations, the majority of Australians (54% up from 27% during the 1991 Gulf War) disapprove of Australia being part of an American military force to depose Saddam Hussein. Forty percent approve and 6% are undecided, a special Morgan Poll finds.

By contrast Australians were evenly divided over whether they approve or disapprove of America using military force to depose Saddam Hussein - 45% (down from 75% during the 1991 Gulf War) approve of America taking such action, 47% disapprove and 8% are undecided.

Prior to this Morgan Poll, US President George W Bush addressed the United Nations, openly saying that the US would undertake direct military action against Iraq in the coming weeks, and requested United Nations support.

These are the main findings of the latest Morgan Poll which was conducted by telephone among 682 men and women aged 14 and over throughout Australia on September 14/15 & 16, 2002.

1. The use of American military force in Iraq

In September 2002, respondents were first asked: "Next, about the use of an American military force against Iraq to depose Saddam Hussein. Do you approve or disapprove of the use of an American military force against Iraq to depose Saddam Hussein?"

The table below compares a similar question that was asked before and during the 1991 Gulf War. The question that was asked in December 1990 and February 1991 was: " Next about the use of an American-led military force to make Iraq leave Kuwait. Do you approve or disapprove of the use of military force to make Iraq leave Kuwait?"

In September 2002, 45% of all Australians approve of the use of American military force to depose Suddeim Hussein, while 47% disapprove and 8% are undecided. However the majority of those who disapprove of America using military force against Iraq to depose Suddam Hussein, disapprove strongly (31% disapprove strongly compared to 16% who mildly disapprove). Of those who approve of America using military force in Iraq, only 20% strongly approve while 25% mildly approve.

Compared to similar Morgan Polls conducted in December 1990 (three weeks before the Gulf War), and February 1991 (during the Gulf War) fewer Australians now approve of an American-led conflict with Iraq, than they did in the lead up to and during the previous war with Iraq. (57% in December 1990, 75% in February 1991 and 45% in September 2002 approved of an American military conflict with Iraq).

Table 1. Comparison between 1990, 1991 and September 2002 Polls

Table 2. Do you approve or disapprove of the use of an American military force against Iraq to depose Saddam Hussein?

Men (48%) were more likely than women (41%) to approve of America taking military action against Iraq. Younger Australians were more likely than older Australians to approve of an American military force entering Iraq to depose Suddam Hussein.

Table 3. Do you approve or disapprove of the use of an American military force against Iraq to depose Saddam Hussein?

2. The use of Australian Military force in Iraq

In September 2002, respondents were then asked: "Next, about Australians being part of an American military force - if military force is used to depose Saddam Hussein, do you approve or disapprove of Australians being part of the American military force?"

The table below compares a similar question that was asked during the 1991 Gulf War. The question which was asked in December 1991 and February 1991 was: "Next about Australians being part of the American-led military force which is now being used to make Iraq leave Kuwait. Do you approve or disapprove of Australians being part of the military force?"

In a Special Morgan Poll, conducted in September 2002, the majority (54%) of Australians disapprove of Australia being a part of an American military force to depose Saddam Hussein, while 40% approve and 6% are undecided. Of those who disapprove, most disapprove strongly (42%) while only 12% mildly disapprove. Amongst those who approve, 15% approve strongly while 25% mildly approve.

Compared to a similar Morgan Poll conducted in December 1990 (three weeks before the Gulf War), fewer Australians now approve of Australia being part of a conflict with Iraq than approved in 1990 (40% in September 2002 cf 54% in December 1990 ).

In a Poll taken three weeks into the Gulf War, 70% of Australians approved of Australia's involvement.

Table 4. Comparison between 1990, 1991 and September 2002 Polls

The majority of supporters of all political Parties, except for those who support the Coalition, disapprove of Australia being involved in an American-led military conflict with Iraq to depose Suddam Hussein. Eighty-two percent of Greens supporters disapprove of Australia being part of an American military force against Iraq. Seventy-four percent of both Australian Democrat supporters and Independent/Other supporters, 67% of One Nation supporters and 63% of ALP supporters disapprove of Australia being part of an American military force to depose Suddam Hussein.

Coalition supporters (55%) were most likely to approve of Australia being part of an American military force against Iraq.

Table 5. Do you approve or disapprove of Australia being part of an American military force against Iraq to depose Saddam Hussein?

Women (59%) were more likely than men (49%) to disapprove of Australia being part of an American military force against Iraq. Older Australians were more likely than younger Australians to disapprove of Australia being involved in an American military force to depose Suddam Hussein.

Table 6. Do you approve or disapprove of Australia being part of an American military force against Iraq to depose Saddam Hussein?

	Total	Analysis by Gender and Age
	Sept '02	Men	Finding No. 3556 is taken from Computer Report No. 1828 The Morgan Poll is conducted by the ONLY Australian or New Zealand member of the Gallup International Association. No other public opinion poll taken in Australia or New Zealand has this qualification.

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