Australian voters are sharply at odds with the Prime Minister over the release of classified US government cables, a new poll has found.
The survey suggests just one-quarter of voters agree with Julia Gillard that the diplomatic cables recently published by WikiLeaks should have remained secret.
The findings show 59 per cent support WikiLeaks in making the cables public and 25 per cent oppose it.
The survey of 1000 Australians by UMR Research was conducted between December 16 and 21, three weeks after the cables began appearing.
UMR’s managing director, John Utting said support for the release of the cables was strongest among men, the more affluent and younger voters, and the better educated.
“There is little difference between the two major parties, while Green voters overwhelmingly support the release,” he said.
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Mr Utting said he most significant finding was ”the almost complete lack of support” for prosecution of Mr Assange.
“The public is overwhelmingly against this. There is just no support for it.”
Australians respect Wikileaks so take a step back
