This is the twentieth edition of the annual Lowy Institute Poll.
In 2024, the Australia–China relationship has stabilised somewhat following several difficult years, but it has not rebounded. Australians’ trust towards China, while improving slightly, remains strikingly low. Threat perceptions remain high: seven in ten Australians consider it likely that China will pose a military threat to Australia in the future.
The great majority of Australians see the US alliance as important to Australia’s security — which is one of the most consistent results over two decades of Lowy Institute polling. Nearly two-thirds support Australia’s acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines.
Japan is held in high regard across a range of indicators, a reflection of shared values, interests, and strategic outlook. Australians are more reserved towards India and Indonesia, although their weight in global affairs continues to grow.
Cyberattacks are seen as the leading threat to Australia’s interests for the second year in a row, while just over half of Australians see more risk than opportunity in the rapid proliferation of artificial intelligence.
Climate change remains a clear and pressing concern for the majority of Australians. But with cost-of-living pressures rising, more Australians now prioritise ‘reducing household energy bills’ than ‘reducing carbon emissions’. Attitudes have darkened towards coal, lightened towards nuclear, and remain supportive of renewables.
