Australians divided over accepting PNG, Nauru refugees: poll

Australians are divided over accepting refugees currently being held on Papua New Guinea (PNG)'s Manus Island and Nauru, according to a poll released on Monday.

The Roy Morgan poll surveyed over 1,000 Australians, and found that exactly 50 percent of people surveyed were in favor of accepting refugees, while the other 50 percent were against it.

Women were far more welcoming, with 58 percent of those surveyed saying they would welcome asylum seekers, while 59 percent of men were against any further refugee influx.

Younger people were also far more likely to want refugees to be allowed into Australia, with 58 percent of those between 18 and 24 years of age in favour of letting them into the country, while 57 percent of people aged 50 to 64 were against the idea.

Some of those polled who were against accepting the refugees, cited the lack of willingness by refugees to assimilate, and further encouragement of people smuggling as reasons not to allow them in.

And those in favour claim basic human rights are a national responsibility, and drew attention to the "appalling" conditions on Nauru and Manus Island. Endit