Australians still back the US alliance (73% call it important, Lowy 2026) and the AUKUS submarines (68% in favour). But trust in the United States has fallen from 61% in 2023 to a record-low 31% in 2026, only just above trust in China (28%), and fewer now see China as a likely military threat. The public is cool on the 2026 Iran war: Essential found 26% approved of the US–Israeli strikes and 43% disapproved, and Lowy found 80% disapproved of President Trump's handling of the campaign. About half support higher defence spending.
Trust in the US and China
Lowy Institute Poll: % who trust each country "a great deal" or "somewhat" to act responsibly in the world.
Lowy Institute Poll: % saying the US alliance is very or fairly important to Australia's security; % in favour of acquiring nuclear-powered submarines under AUKUS; % saying China is likely to become a military threat in the next 20 years.
The US and Israel attacked Iran, starting the 2026 Iran war. The Albanese government backed the US–Israeli effort but ruled out ground troops. (en.wikipedia.org)
Essential: 26% approved of the US and Israeli strikes on Iran, 43% disapproved and 31% were unsure. 34% said Australia should work less closely with the US, up from 14% in 2021. (newsgram.com)
The National Defence Strategy lifts defence spending from 2.8% of GDP (NATO-style measure) to 3% by 2033. (washingtonpost.com)
Lowy: 80% disapproved of the way President Trump has handled the military campaign in Iran; 18% approved. (lowyinstitute.org)
Lowy 2026: for the first time a majority (51%) said the relationship with China matters more than the relationship with the US. (lowyinstitute.org)