Guardian Essential poll: NSW voters sympathetic to Gladys Berejiklian despite Icac probe

The prime minister has faced significant criticism both inside and outside politics over his full frontal attack on the Icac, but Morrison has doubled down several times since. His assault intensified over the past fortnight as he came under significant pressure over his failure to introduce a bill establishing a federal anti-corruption body promised by the Coalition three years ago.

As well as testing voter sentiment on Berejiklian, Morrison and Icac, Guardian Essential poll respondents were also asked a number of questions about the Omicron variant, health regulations, and trust in institutions.

Asked how governments and health authorities should respond to the new Covid strain, almost half the sample (49%) thought it would be prudent to wait for more information, although 34% of respondents said Australia should impose tougher health restrictions proactively. Only 16% or respondents favoured no change in current settings.

However, 42% said we should send some vaccines to developing countries even if that slowed the rollout of the booster shot program in Australia.

While there has been significant focus on the minority of Australians who oppose elements of the domestic public health response, the Guardian Essential data suggests people remain on board with vaccinations and tools like lockdowns to control the spread of infections.

A majority of respondents (61%) believe it should be compulsory for adults to be vaccinated unless they have a medical exemption.

With restrictions easing ahead of the summer break, there is strong support for a regime of testing and quarantine for unvaccinated travellers. A majority (74%) believe unvaccinated people should be required to have a Covid test before travelling, while 68% say unvaccinated people should have to quarantine for a period before interstate travel.

A smaller majority (55%) say unvaccinated Australians should have to cover the costs of their hospital care should they become ill.

Voters were also asked questions about trust. The responses suggest voters trust the information they get from governments more than information they see on social media platforms (43% trust government while 19% trust the platforms). The government just beats the mainstream media (40%) but voters trust scientific bodies most of all (67%).

The data suggests Australians are open to a stronger regulatory regime for the digital platforms and that people are worried about how Facebook, Google and others use their private information. A majority (75%) also hold the platforms responsible if misinformation is circulating on their sites.