A recent poll reveals a growing divide in Australia's perception of the United States under President Donald Trump. Only 8% of Australians strongly agree that Australia and the US share fundamental values like democracy and the rule of law, according to a survey by the Australia Institute. This finding highlights a significant shift in public opinion, as a majority (48%) believes Trump's presidency has negatively impacted Australia's security and global standing. The poll also uncovered that half of Australians now view the US as less democratic, and a similar number would feel unsafe traveling there. Dr. Emma Shortis, director of the Australia Institute's international and security affairs program, comments on the survey's findings, stating, 'Australians are deeply concerned about the current state of the United States, and half of us would feel unsafe traveling there.' The survey was conducted after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's meeting with Trump, which was generally considered a success despite the political tensions. Interestingly, while the AUKUS agreement has bipartisan support, a majority of Australians still support a parliamentary inquiry into the deal, indicating a need for further scrutiny and transparency.
