New Lowy Institute poll finds that 62% of Australians oppose the execution of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran

In a new poll conducted by the Lowy Institute on the weekend, 62% of the Australian adult population say that the executions of the two Australian citizens Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran in Indonesia should not proceed.

Fewer than one in three (31%) Australians say the executions should proceed.

Most Australians also oppose the death penalty for drug trafficking in general. A substantial majority (69%) of the Australian population believes that in general, the death penalty should not be used as a penalty for drug trafficking. By comparison, only 26% say that the death penalty should apply to drug trafficking.

“As the date for the executions of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran appears to draw closer, Australian public and political opposition is crystallising. This Lowy Institute poll is a strong expression of Australian public opinion against the execution of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, as well as public opposition to the death penalty for drug trafficking in general", said Dr Michael Fullilove, Executive Director of the Lowy Institute.

This special Lowy Institute poll reports the results of a nationally representative survey by telephone of 1,211 randomly-selected respondents aged 18 years and over, conducted by Newspoll on 13-15 February 2015.  The approximate error margin for this Poll is +/- 2.8%. 

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Poll questions:

Q1. In Indonesia, there is a death penalty for drug trafficking. Two Australian citizens, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, are currently facing execution in Indonesia following convictions for drug trafficking. Do you personally think that the executions of these two Australian citizens should or should not proceed?

Q2.  Around the world, some countries do have a death penalty for drug trafficking, while other countries do not. In general, do you think the death penalty should or should not be used as a penalty for drug trafficking?