“With the AFL grand final today, and NRL grand final around the corner, almost two-thirds of Australians have called for divisive and insulting welcome to country performances to axed from sporting events, which are designed to divide Australians,” said Daniel Wild, Deputy Executive Director of the Institute of Public Affairs.
Released today, new IPA polling surveyed Australians attitudes to politics and activism in sport. The nationally represented poll was undertaken by independent marketing research firm Dynata of 1,007 Australians on 13-14 September with a margin of error of 3.1% found:
- 63 per cent of Australians believe welcome to country ceremonies should no longer be performed at sporting matches in Australia.
- This includes an astonishing 72 per cent of those aged 18–24-year-olds.
- 64 per cent of Australians believe that sporting codes like the AFL, NRL, cricket, and netball have become too politically correct. This is an increase from 61 per cent in 2022.
- The share of 18–24-year-olds who agree has dramatically risen from 52 per cent in 2022 to 78 per cent in 2025.
- 77 per cent of Australians agree that it is wrong that professional athletes are using their positions to campaign for their own personal political causes.
- This includes 80 per cent of those aged 18-24.
The results also come on the back of the Australian test cricket captain, Pat Cummins, signing on to support the Albanese Labor government’s $50 million cash splash to push the climate change agenda in Australia’s sporting clubs.
“Sport is a defining component of the Australian way of life, where we all can play and cheer together. The message from mainstream Australians is clear: play the ball and not the politics,” Mr Wild said.
“Australians simply do not want their sporting icons using their privileged platform to engage in divisive political posturing.”
“Remarkably, it is young Australians are leading the revolt against woke and divisive sports stars who are shameless in their divisive moral hectoring of mainstream Australians,” Mr Wild said.
The poll also established that 63 per cent of Australians agree that “Australian national sporting players who refuse to sing the Australian national anthem should not play in our national sporting team.” This includes an astonishing 81 per cent of those aged 18-24.
“The message from mainstream Australia is clear: sign the anthem with pride or face the sack,” Mr Wild said.
“Playing for a national or professional sporting team is a privilege and an honour. Those who refuse to respect our anthem, flag, and national values simply have no place in our sporting culture, regardless of their batting average or how many goals they score.”
“Sport is a critical part of our social fabric, which for generations has brought our nation together. Yet, today, is now being used by a privileged elite as a weapon of political division and woke virtue signalling,” Mr Wild said.
To download the IPA’s previous research click here.
