3 October

A poll conducted for Sydney tabloid, The Sun-Herald, showed support for the republic at its lowest level so far with 38 percent intending to vote YES on 6 November, 35 percent against and 23 percent Don’t Know (617 voters in NSW and Victorian city and country areas on 1-2 October). The pollster concluded that basic mistrust of politicians was threatening the success of the YES case.
The poll showed support slipping in NSW and Victoria. 62 percent of the YES voters wanted an Australian as Head of State while 14 percent thought that the monarchy was not right for Australia. Of the intended NO voters, 27 percent couldn’t see any reason to change while 20 percent wanted a republic but not this version.
Of the women polled, 33 percent intended to vote YES (compared with 43 percent of men) while 34 percent of women were in favour of the British monarch (compared with 36 percent of men). 70 percent thought that the people should vote for the president.
90 percent of those polled said they were not influenced by Prince Charles’ relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles; 86 percent said they were not influenced by East Timor and 81 percent had no suggestion for who should be the first president.