One year has passed since the new crown pandemic, and Australians are more satisfied with their financial situation than before the outbreak, despite the unstable job market caused by the first recession in 30 years. However, the Scanlon Foundation’s annual social cohesion survey survey shows that the impact of the epidemic means that it has replaced the economy as the most important issue facing Australia. About 3000 people participated in the survey.
The author of the report, Andrew Markus, said the results show that Australian society has not been cracked under the pressure of the virus like other countries. Australians’ evaluation of the government is that the government has controlled the spread of the virus and provided financial support to businesses and individuals hit by health response measures. People’s trust in the government has been rising. He said, “Australia is a very cohesive society in times of crisis, especially when compared to the differentiation between the United States and the Brexit period under Trump’s governance.” “The virus has exacerbated these existing differences, which is very important for Australia. It’s an important lesson.”
However, nearly 60% of Chinese Australians report that racial discrimination during the pandemic is a major problem. This year’s survey results show that the economy is no longer the main problem facing Australia. In July, 63% of people believed that the virus was the most important issue, but in November this percentage dropped to 32%. In July, only 15% of people ranked economic issues as their top priority, but in November this proportion rebounded to 24%.
