There has always been majority public opposition to refugee boat arrivals. But what should we do with them once they have arrived? A couple of pollsters today released surveys on the government’s plan to house refugees with kids in the community.
The SMH found 50% opposition and 47% support, much more evenly divided opinion than on arrivals as such.
Essential Research found 53% disapproval and 33% approval, with 13% don’t know. The difference seems to be that with the SMH/ACNielsen phone poll the ‘don’t know’ option is not offered but recorded if given, while with Essential’s online poll
‘don’t know’ is there as an option.
These different polling methods can be useful in seeing where the ‘soft’ opinion is. In this case, it looks like the people who aren’t sure tend towards the more compassionate response if pressed.
Andrew Norton 