Release of ASPI Special Report Public opinion in Australia towards defence, security and terrorism

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The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) today released a new Special Report which traces the public’s changing views of the main issues relating to defence and security over an extended period. The paper identifies three key views of the public on defence and security: 

  • The threat of terrorism is now regarded by almost two in three people as part of everyday life in Australia, and half are concerned about becoming the victim of a terrorist attack. Two-thirds are concerned about a major attack in the future.
  • The proportion of voters seeing a conventional security threat to Australia has declined consistently since the late 1960s.
  • Public support for defence links with the United States has remained consistently high over an extended period, though there have been recent declines in support, caused by the unpopularity of the Iraq War. 

Author Ian McAllister says in the post-Cold War world, terrorism is seen by most Australians as the new threat to their security.