In Australia and globally, citizens want to prioritise the economy over crime

Prioritising the economy trumps crime, according to the Australian population, with 44% of Australians wanting the government to focus creating jobs and boosting the economy, according to an Ipsos survey that tracks how people around the world see crime playing out in their communities, what they want governments to do, and how much trust they have in law enforcement, among other trends.

Key Australian findings

• The economy trumps crime - One quarter (24%) of Australians and globally say they want the government to prioritise stopping crime and violence. In Australia, 44% say they want the government to prioritise creating jobs and boosting the economy (vs 50% globally). This is consistent with the Ipsos Issues Monitor which shows cost of living dominating as the key concern for Australians.
• Three in ten (31%) in Australia and globally, say crime has increased in their communities in the past year, which is the same proportion as last year in Australia (and in line with last year globally – 34%). Again, consistent with the Ipsos Issues Monitor, Queenslanders are much more focussed on crime, with 49% saying crime has increased in their communities in the past year.
• To explore perceptions of the causes of crime, the Ipsos survey asked people what they believed were the most significant causes of crime and corruption in their neighbourhood, allowing them to choose up to three causes. The results demonstrate that Australians understand that crime is a complex issue:

1. 59% say poverty and unemployment are the most significant causes of crime and violence;
2. 57% say drug and alcohol abuse;
3. 52% say lack of education; and
4. 39% say breakdown of traditional values.

• Australians have confidence in law enforcement – 68% of people are confident in the police to treat all citizens with the same level of respect (up from 61% in 2023). In addition, 65% are confident police will find and arrest the correct criminal following a crime (up from 61% in 2023);54% are confident of police stopping violent crimes from happening (52% in 2023); and 50% are confident of police stopping non-violent crimes from happening (48% in 2023).
• Australians are generally law abiding, with 64% saying people should always obey the law, compared to 37% who say sometimes you must ignore the law to do the right thing.

Ipsos Australia Associate Research Director, Nonie Finlayson, said: “The findings from our Ipsos study provides interesting insights into our current state of thinking around crime. There are perceptions that crime in local communities is increasing, however the need for this to be addressed is trumped by the desire for Governments to focus on boosting the economy. “We know from other surveys conducted by Ipsos that Australians are concerned about the rising cost of living, and this is reflected in poverty and unemployment seen as the top cause for crime. However, this is closely followed by drug abuse and lack of education, with this perceived complexity perhaps driving the concern Australians feel towards crime.”