All ethics polls
Our Ethics Poll questions are intended to generate thinking and debate around ethical issues. The polls are not formally conducted, so results are indicative only.
Below are all Ethics Polls we have posted on this site. Note that polls earlier than the current one will generally be closed for voting.
April 2013
Has social media changed the concept of what constitutes a ‘friend’?
Yes
77.7% (178 votes)
No
19.2% (44 votes)
Unsure
3.1% (7 votes)
February 2013
Should individual citizens have the right to carry arms?
Yes
88.2% (3428 votes)
No
11% (428 votes)
Unsure
0.7% (29 votes)
November 2012
Should Muslims embrace freedom of speech - even if it insults the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him)?
Yes
86.9% (232 votes)
No
8.2% (22 votes)
Unsure
4.9% (13 votes)
October 2012
Should euthanasia be legalised?
Yes
67.4% (2901 votes)
No
32.2% (1385 votes)
Unsure
0.4% (19 votes)
September 2012
Is there anything wrong with designer babies?
Yes
82.4% (154 votes)
No
8.6% (16 votes)
Unsure
9.1% (17 votes)
August 2012
Would we be better off if farmers had the right to say NO to miners?
Yes
72.2% (70 votes)
No
22.7% (22 votes)
Unsure
5.2% (5 votes)
July 2012
Do we have anything to fear from a powerful China?
Yes
59.3% (67 votes)
No
26.5% (30 votes)
Undecided
14.2% (16 votes)
June 2012
Does the world need nuclear energy?
Yes
64.7% (141 votes)
No
31.7% (69 votes)
Undecided
3.7% (8 votes)
May 2012
Should same sex marriage be legalised?
Yes
32.6% (323 votes)
No
66.4% (658 votes)
Unsure
1% (10 votes)
April 2012
Should Australian consumers support domestic retailers rather than buy from overseas internet-based suppliers?
Yes
55.7% (113 votes)
No
31% (63 votes)
Unsure
13.3% (27 votes)
March 2012
Can a mother's needs or wishes ever overcome a newborn child's right to life?
Yes
76.4% (81 votes)
No
21.7% (23 votes)
Unsure
1.9% (2 votes)
January 2012
Should a captain always be the last one to leave a sinking ship?
Yes
76.1% (204 votes)
No
11.2% (30 votes)
Unsure
12.7% (34 votes)
December 2011
Xmas is a periode of forgiveness. Is it OK to not give Xmas presents to naughty children?
Yes
32.4% (24 votes)
No
67.6% (50 votes)
November 2011
Is it OK to use (non-violent) social and economic disruption as a catalyst for change?
Yes
87.1% (135 votes)
Unsure
4.5% (7 votes)
No
8.4% (13 votes)
October 2011
Should there be controls on the gambling decisions of adults?
Yes
78.9% (56 votes)
Unsure
2.8% (2 votes)
No
18.3% (13 votes)
September 2011
Is it ok to pay two identical workers doing the same job a different salary if only one of them asks for more money?
Yes
21.8% (43 votes)
Unsure
1.5% (3 votes)
No
76.6% (151 votes)
August 2011
Is phone hacking ever ethical?
Yes
44% (40 votes)
Unsure
4.4% (4 votes)
No
51.6% (47 votes)
July 2011
Was the killing of Osama bin Laden justified?
Yes
59.1% (172 votes)
Unsure
5.8% (17 votes)
No
35.1% (102 votes)
June 2011
Should suspension of live exports only be lifted when all cattle (not just Australian) can be guaranteed humane treatment?
Yes
54.5% (60 votes)
Unsure
5.5% (6 votes)
No
40% (44 votes)
May 2011
Should all asylum seekers have their claims processed on the Australian mainland?
Yes
67.7% (107 votes)
Unsure
11.4% (18 votes)
No
20.9% (33 votes)
April 2011
Should nuclear power be used as a source of energy for civilian purposes?
Yes
46% (74 votes)
No
44.1% (71 votes)
Unsure
9.9% (16 votes)
February 2011
Should public funds be given as aid to people who have CHOSEN NOT to buy insurance against natural disasters?
Yes
46.7% (106 votes)
Unsure
11.5% (26 votes)
No
41.9% (95 votes)
January 2011
Should kangaroos be 'farmed' commercially?
Yes
69.1% (103 votes)
Unsure
4% (6 votes)
No
26.8% (40 votes)
December 2010
Is Wikileaks acting ethically by publishing leaked information?
Yes
75.4% (92 votes)
Unsure
4.9% (6 votes)
No
19.7% (24 votes)
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