People are silhouetted against the Sydney Opera House at sunset in Australia, on Nov 2, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]
Australians are showing strong support for a more independent foreign policy, with a new poll finding that such an approach is far more popular than pursuing a closer alliance with the United States.
Experts say the findings reflect a significant shift in Australian public opinion, with implications not only for how the outside world views the US but also for the US itself.
A nationwide YouGov poll of 1,502 Australians found that 59 percent of respondents believe the country's interests are better served by pursuing a more independent foreign policy, compared with just 23 percent who favored a closer alliance with the US.
The poll, conducted for Canberra-based The Australia Institute between March 12 and 19, points to waning public confidence in the US under the current administration. Results released on May 7 showed that only one in eight Australians regard the US as a "very reliable" security ally, while more than half consider it unreliable overall.
