From the Lowy Institute survey of Australians' attitudes:
Today the Lowy Institute for International Policy releases the results of its annual Poll on Australian attitudes to the world.
The Lowy Institute Poll 2013 has found that more Australians of voting age (by a margin of over two to one) think the Coalition would do a better job than Labor on five of eight key issues: managing the economy, foreign investment, asylum seekers, the US alliance and national security. Labor leads on two issues: managing the relationship with China and the response to climate change. There was no clear difference between the Government and the Opposition on the issue of managing relations with Asia.
Despite most Australians seeing China as the most important economy to Australia, more Australians place a higher value on our relationship with the United States than with China. Australians still overwhelmingly support the US alliance, and support for basing US forces in Australia has increased to 61% (up 6 points since 2011).
Meanwhile, sentiments towards China have cooled, its ‘thermometer’ rating falling 5 points, and 57% of Australians think that Australia is allowing too much investment from China.
Nevertheless, the vast majority (87%) say it is possible for Australia to have a good relationship with China and the United States at the same time.There's a report in today's South China Morning Post, here, though it's behind a paywall..
