ABSTRACT
Public opinion in Australia is now less favourably disposed towards defence than at any time since the end of the Second World War. In particular, the past decade has witnessed a noticeable decline in support for increased defence spending, always an important measure of the standing of defence in the popular mind, and in perceptions of a long-term threat to Australia's security. But there have also been significant changes in more peripheral indicators in recent years, such as support for acquiring nuclear weapons, conscription, and visits by nuclear-powered warships.
