 |
| Image: Wiki Commons |
Fergus Hunter
Donald Trump's election as US president would trigger a collapse in support for Australia's alliance with the United States, according to a new poll.
Forty-five per cent of voters believe Australia should distance itself from the United States if it elects a president like Donald Trump, compared to 51 per cent who say the alliance should remain strong regardless.
He is a clear favourite to win the nomination of one of the world's great political parties
"It's a striking and somewhat disturbing result because one of the strongest and most consistent polling results in the Lowy Institute's history has been support for the US alliance," executive director Michael Fullilove said.
In 2015, 80 per cent of Australian adults said the relationship was very or fairly important.
Respondents were not asked their specific thoughts on Mr Trump but Mr Fullilove noted the billionaire property developer and TV personality's penchant for "outrageous and appalling" remarks.
"Donald Trump is crass and bombastic and egotistical and he embodies very few of the greatest qualities of the US: open-mindedness, generosity, willingness to lead and take a liberal definition of America's interests."
Read the full story at Sydney Morning Herald