Australian public opinion and government response to US-Israel war on Iran and regional military deployments
Consensus Summary
Australian public opinion remains deeply divided over the US-Israel war on Iran, with polls showing a majority of Australians preferring to stay out of the conflict entirely. The Guardian Essential poll found only 26% support the war, while 43% disapprove, and the Resolve Political Monitor poll reported 61% want Australia to avoid involvement altogether. Concerns over rising fuel prices and cost-of-living impacts dominate public sentiment, with 85% of Australians worried about economic consequences. The governmentâs deployment of an E-7 Wedgetail surveillance aircraft and 85 defence personnel to the UAE has seen mixed support, with around one-third backing the move in both polls. Meanwhile, the conflict has escalated into Lebanon, with Australia and other nations urging de-escalation amid a humanitarian crisis. Political tensions have also surfaced, with Liberal MP Andrew Hastie criticizing US President Donald Trump for dismissing alliesâ support, while Foreign Minister Penny Wong has cautioned against further Israeli military action in Lebanon. The polls also reveal a shift in Australian foreign policy preferences, with many favoring closer ties with 'middle powers' like Canada and Japan over the US.
â Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The Resolve Political Monitor poll (The Age/SMH) found 61% of Australians want the country to stay entirely out of the US-Israel war on Iran, with only 13% eager for involvement.
- The Guardian Essential poll (Guardian) found 43% disapproved of the US and Israeli bombardment of Iran, while 26% backed the move, with 31% unsure.
- The Resolve poll (The Age/SMH) reported 39% opposed and 28% supported the US-Israel military actions in Iran, with 36% undecided or neutral.
- The Guardian Essential poll (Guardian) found 34% approved and 25% disapproved of Australiaâs deployment of an E-7 Wedgetail surveillance aircraft and 85 ADF personnel to the UAE, with 40% unsure.
- The Resolve poll (The Age/SMH) found 39% backed the decision to send missiles and an E-7 Wedgetail to the UAE, while 25% opposed it.
- The Guardian Essential poll (Guardian) reported 85% of Australians are concerned about the warâs impact on cost of living, with petrol prices surging over $2 per litre since the conflict began.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed an Iranian projectile struck near Australiaâs Al Minhad Air Base in the UAE, causing a fire and damaging an accommodation block and medical facility (The Age/SMH).
- Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged Israel against launching a major ground invasion in Lebanon, citing humanitarian concerns (The Age/SMH).
- The Guardian Essential poll found 60% of respondents wanted Australia to work with international organisations on peace talks to prevent further escalation in the Middle East.
- The Guardian Essential poll reported 30% of respondents opposed sending naval support to end blockages of oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, while 37% would back it.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The Guardian Essential poll found only 26% of Australians backed the US-Israel war on Iran, with 43% disapproving and 31% unsure.
- The poll found 31% wanted Australia to distance itself from the US, while 21% wanted a closer relationship, contrasting with 51% wanting a closer relationship with New Zealand.
- The Guardian reported 35% of respondents backed sending naval support to end blockages in the Strait of Hormuz, while 21% supported sending ground troops.
- The Guardian noted 37% of respondents backed offering refuge to civilians displaced by the war.
- The Guardian reported 30% opposed sending naval support to the Strait of Hormuz, and 50% opposed sending ground troops.
- The Guardian Essential poll found 32% backed the governmentâs move to send missiles and an E-7 Wedgetail to the UAE, while 35% opposed it.
- The Guardian reported 40% of respondents were unsure or didnât know about Australiaâs response to the military action in Iran.
- The Guardian cited Peter Lewis (Essential Media) saying, 'The US strikes on Iran are supported by the public, but they also seem to be undermining support for the US alliance more generally.'
- The Guardian reported Defence Minister Richard Marles did not rule out extending the deployment of the Wedgetail beyond four weeks, stating, 'we will assess that as we get closer to the end of the period.'
- The Guardian reported 37% of respondents wanted Australia to strengthen relationships with Canada, South Korea, and Japan over the US, while 35% backed prioritising the US.
- The Age reported Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie branded US President Donald Trump 'petulant' for declaring the US did not need alliesâ help in Iran.
- The Age included a direct quote from Trumpâs tweet: 'Because of the fact we have had such Military Success, we no longer âneedâ, or desire, the NATO Countriesâ assistance â WE NEVER DID! Likewise, Japan, Australia, or South Korea.'
- The Age reported Hastie said Trumpâs statement was 'a petulant post from a president under immense pressure,' adding, 'I just donât think thatâs how you treat allies.'
- The Age included a quote from Pollster Jim Reed: 'The major touchpoint for most Australians is the price theyâre paying for fuel, and how thatâs going to knock on to grocery prices.'
- The Age reported Australia voiced concern about Israelâs intensification of its war against Hezbollah in Lebanon, with over 900 lives lost in Lebanon this month.
- The Age included a quote from Foreign Minister Penny Wong: 'A major Israeli ground offensive into Lebanon will only exacerbate the worsening humanitarian situation in the country.'
- The Age reported Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and the UK called for an 'immediate de-escalation' in Lebanon, citing devastating humanitarian consequences.
- The SMH repeated verbatim the content from The Age, including the quote from Trumpâs tweet and Hastieâs criticism of Trump.
- The SMH included the same quote from Pollster Jim Reed as The Age regarding fuel prices and cost-of-living concerns.
- The SMH repeated the exact wording from The Age about Australiaâs concern over Israelâs actions in Lebanon and the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian Essential poll found 26% of Australians backed the US-Israel war on Iran, while the Resolve poll (The Age/SMH) found only 28% supported it.
- The Guardian Essential poll reported 34% approved of Australiaâs deployment of the E-7 Wedgetail and 85 ADF personnel to the UAE, while the Resolve poll (The Age/SMH) found 39% backed the same deployment.
- The Guardian Essential poll found 31% of respondents wanted Australia to distance itself from the US, while the Resolve poll (The Age/SMH) did not provide a comparable figure on this specific question.
- The Guardian Essential poll reported 37% of respondents wanted Australia to strengthen relationships with 'middle powers' like Canada and Japan over the US, while the Resolve poll did not include this specific question.
- The Guardian Essential poll found 30% opposed sending naval support to the Strait of Hormuz, while the Resolve poll did not provide a comparable figure on this specific question.
Source Articles
Guardian Essential poll: only a quarter of Australians approve of US-Israel war on Iran
Poll also finds Australians keener for government to forge closer ties with âmiddle powersâ such as Canada and Japan Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Only one in four Austr...
Australians want no part in Iran conflict as Hastie unloads on âpetulantâ Trump
Most Australians want the country to stay out of the war in Iran, with fewer than one in three voters backing the Albanese governmentâs support for US strikes....
Australians want no part in Iran conflict as Hastie unloads on âpetulantâ Trump
Most Australians want the country to stay out of the war in Iran, with fewer than one in three voters backing the Albanese governmentâs support for US strikes....