Poll suggests majority of Australian voters expect fair and humane approach to refugees

Political leaders are being urged to embrace refugee polices “grounded in humanity, not cruelty” as new research found a majority of Australians polled believe the federal government has a responsibility to accept people seeking asylum.

The polling, commissioned by the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre and conducted by Redbridge, shows more than half of those polled support granting asylum seekers work and study rights while they await the outcome of their protection visa applications.

The findings, which asked 1,508 Australian voters in January, show while many supported tough policies for those seeking asylum, many still supported compassionate responses.

However, those polled also rated refugee and asylum seekers as one of the least important issues to voters ahead of the federal election, with the cost of living, healthcare and the economy rated in the top three. Just 1% considered refugee issues as their top election priority.

It comes as the Albanese government announced on Sunday three non-citizens, whose visas had been cancelled on character grounds because of previous criminal convictions – including a convicted murderer – had been placed in immigration detention awaiting deportation to Nauru after the tiny Pacific island agreed to grant them 30-year visas.

The polling showed 35% strongly or somewhat supported the government’s powers to pay other countries to take asylum seekers or non-citizens Australia wants to deport. Around 32% were strongly or somewhat against the measure, while 23% felt neutral.

Almost a third supported deporting asylum seekers to their country of origin, regardless of the risk of persecution or violence, while 42% opposed it somewhat or strongly.

More than two-thirds supported allowing those denied a protection visa through the former Coalition government’s “fast-track” system, which Labor dismantled after being elected, a chance to relodge an application through the new system.

The controversial fast-track refugee assessment process reviewed the claims of thousands of people who arrived by boat between August 2012 and January 2014. In addition to the assessment process, the former Coalition government introduced temporary protection visas for those recognised as refugees fleeing persecution – another measure Labor scrapped in place of permanent protection visas.

Jana Favero, the ASRC’s deputy chief executive, said the results showed voters had “compassion” and “a desire for humanity” when it came to people fleeing danger and how “out of touch some politicians are – especially in the lead up to elections”.

“People have a big heart, and they want politicians to reflect their values. This polling shows that the current toxic debate weaponising refugee policy is misreading the nation’s pulse,” she said.

“It’s time for our leaders to embrace policies grounded in humanity, not cruelty.”

The polling also showed voters felt strongly about punitive measures for those in immigration detention, with 50% backing powers to conduct more invasive searches compared to 22% against the measure.

The data showed voters with more conservative leanings, or who watched right-wing-leaning media, were more likely to agree with tougher measures, while left-leaning respondents were more likely to agree with extending rights such as study or work.

In one example, three groups were shown different political messaging on people seeking asylum, alongside a control group, to evaluate the impact on their opinions.

The groups were then asked to support or oppose the existing system, prompted by this message: “Currently, all people seeking asylum who arrive in Australia by sea are transferred to an offshore immigration detention centre on Nauru, with no prospect of ever settling in Australia.”

The control group supported offshore detention at 51% while 24% opposed. Support dropped marginally to 49% and 50% after messages against offshore detention, while the group exposed to pro-offshore detention increased to 57% support.

Kos Samaras, a director at Redbridge and former Victorian Labor campaigner, warned federal politicians against politicising the issue for gain.

“They don’t want their government punishing marginalised people. This is a clear message to both major parties – voters are watching, and they expect a fair and humane approach to refugees,” he said.