Australia Speaks: 2015 Opinion Poll – Views of 1000 Australians

Research Australia’s 13th annual public opinion poll, the first conducted by Roy Morgan, surveyed 1,000 Australians aged 18 and over through an online panel from 7 to 10 August 2015, with results weighted by age, sex and area (maximum sampling tolerance ±3.6%). More funding for health and medical research moved from ninth to sixth among 27 government spending priorities (81%). The poll found 78% support for the newly legislated Medical Research Future Fund and strong support for science: 93% said politicians and public servants should listen to scientists, 91% supported government funding for basic scientific research, and 90% wanted a higher priority on STEM education. 74% considered research part of the solution to rising health costs. Advancing medical research was the leading reason for sharing personal health information (77%). Among reasons to join a clinical trial, the necessity of trials to develop new treatments was most influential (93%). 74% supported taxing sugary soft drinks. 48% reported donating at least annually to health and medical research, with the share of regular donors giving $101–500 rising from 14% to 27% since 2008. The poll also explored use of the internet for health information, with 71% of those who had been unwell using it after a consultation to learn more and attitudes to miracle cures and special diets.