Guardian Essential poll: 38% of Australians agree with Paul Keating’s view on country’s position in Asia

Paul Keating has long touted the view that Australia should be an independent middle power in Asia and, according to the latest Guardian Essential poll, a large portion of the country agrees. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP

Almost twice as many Australians believe the government should position the country as a middle power in Asia – a view touted by the former prime minister Paul Keating – than those who say it should be “an ally of the US”.

That is the result of Guardian’s latest Essential poll of 1,126 voters, which also found that twice as many Australians support Israel withdrawing from Gaza (37%) than believe Israel is justified in continuing its military action (18%).