Who Australians blame for terrorism revealed in new poll

Two thirds of Australians blame either extremists or the Albanese government and other politicians for terrorism, a new poll has revealed.

Terrorists and extremists received the largest share of the blame at 36 per cent, in the survey conducted in the wake of the Bondi by Roy Morgan.

Respondents blamed their religious and political beliefs, their single-minded focus on their agenda, and the fact that, by definition, it is terrorists who pull the triggers.

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However Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the federal government, and other politicians copped the blame from 29 per cent of the respondents.

People alleged the government had furthered "lax" immigration policies, allowed hate speech to flourish, and claimed the recognition of a Palestinian state encouraged extremists.

Australians aged 18 to 24 were most likely, at 33 per cent, to blame the government, compared to any other age group.

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But at 32 per cent, they were the least likely to blame terrorists or extremists.

The poll was conducted on December 19 and December 20, in the wake of the Bondi terror attack.

"The main finding of this important research, apart from terrorists and extremists being blamed for terrorist attacks, is that many Australians blame Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the Government, and other politicians for terrorism," Roy Morgan chief executive Michele Levine said.

"Roy Morgan has been operating since 1941, asking Australian people how they feel about events in and shaping our society. Looking back over the years, some of those questions have been challenging and even painful to ask and answer."

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Levine said the new answers showed Australian attitudes toward terrorism were changing, with lower levels of blame for individual groups than in previous surveys.

"Without prompting, Australians are more likely to blame extremists than any individual group - nationality, cultural or religious group," she said.

She said many respondents had said terrorism was the result of a "complex mix" of factors, and that they were concerned about "hate, racism, and divisiveness".

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