The United States and Australia - similarities and differences on key issues

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As commentators on the politics of the United States have observed, former president Donald Trump continues to exercise considerable influence on the Republican Party (aka the Grand Old Party or GOP) both in terms of policy and the success of potential candidates for elections. His influence also extends to a large proportion of the US public who supported his MAGA (Make America Great Again) slogan. Research by the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney published under the title of 'Public Opinion in the Age of Trump' remains relevant due to the polarisation of politics and opinion in the United States.

Using a survey sample size of 1,800 in the United States and 1,820 in Australia, relevant results found these similarities and differences (% shown are in agreement with the statements) -

  

Similarities	US	Australia
Hard work drives success	58 %	56 %
America/Australia is a friend/ally	97 %	94 %
Climate change is occuring	66 %	75 %
Differences
Minimum wage should be high enough so that no family with a full-time worker falls below official poverty line	57 %	84 %
The unemployed should have a decent standard of living	40 %	61 %
America/Australia is too economically dependent on China	51 %	63 %
Women should have access to abortion as a personal choice	42 %	58 %
Gun controls should be stricter, despite the fact its already much more difficult to obtain a gun in Australian than the US	53 %	66 %