Voters Concerned About Solomons-China Security Deal

China's security pact with the Solomon Islands is concerning or very concerning for 72% of Australian voters, according to a survey conducted by Resolve Strategic for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. Just 21% of respondents said they were not concerned about the pact.

• Coalition voters were most concerned (80%) about the Solomons-China deal, followed by Labour voters (72%), other voters (68%) and uncommitted voters (67%).
• The Sydney Morning Herald noted that "the outcome has not driven significant support to the advantage of one side of politics over another, with Australians split on whether Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the Coalition or Labor leader Anthony Albanese and his party are the best choice to manage the challenge."
• PM Morrison said on Wednesday that he had not contacted his counterpart from the Solomons since the beginning of the election campaign, despite publicly calling on China and the Solomon Islands to respect Australia's red lines. Sources told The Sydney Morning Herald that "the decision not to speak to Sogavare was taken on official advice."