Public Survey Launches to Gather Views on Life in Australia

A national survey project is inviting residents across Australia to submit views on the issues, challenges, and opportunities shaping their communities. The eight-week effort runs from July 19 to September 12. One participant, a 23-year-old who arrived as a refugee at age 15, described Australia as offering pride, freedom, support, and happiness.

He settled in Toowoomba, 150 kilometres west of Brisbane, and now works as a soccer referee and at a local high school where students come from more than 40 countries.

An Australian National University poll conducted in March found life satisfaction at its lowest level since the survey began in 2019. Fifty-four percent of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the country's direction, while 46 percent said they were satisfied.

The same poll showed that migrants born in non-English speaking countries reported more positive views toward Australia than other groups despite facing greater economic vulnerability. Young adults aged 18 to 24 were the most satisfied with democracy and more supportive of public speech rights for those with extreme views.

A retired couple living in the western Queensland town of Surat said government officials often describe rural residents as lacking knowledge. The woman, a former local councillor, stated that people in regional areas are not consulted on decisions affecting them and are sometimes portrayed as backward.

A 20-year-old nursing student said mental health services need more funding, especially in regional communities where access is limited. She plans to participate in Queensland's Youth Parliament program. The project is open to submissions from any resident who wishes to contribute to the national conversation.