According to recent research released by Roy Morgan US President Barack Obama was named by 12.7% of Australians aged 14+ as one of the public figures they most admire in 2013. In fact, of the five people whose names came up most often, only two were Australian: former Prime Ministers Julia Gillard (12.3%) and John Howard (7.7%). Nelson Mandela and the Queen also made the top five.
“Throughout the year, as part of its Product Poll, Roy Morgan Research asks Australians to name three public figures they admire the most. Last year revealed some fascinating, sometimes surprising results — one of which is the enduring popularity of former PM John Howard, some six years after he was voted out.” Michele Levine, CEO, Roy Morgan Research commented.

Ms Levine explained that there was a fairly even gender split among President Obama’s admirers, with 48.6% being women and 51.4% being men. Among former South African President Nelson Mandela’s admirers, the female-male breakdown was similarly close (54.4% women; 45.6% men). Ms Levine added that with women named Julia Gillard and the Queen almost twice as often as men did, while men were far more likely than women to name former PM John Howard as one of their most admired public figures.
“What’s more, despite the fact that State MPs and Federal MPs are among the least trusted professions in Australia, politicians are widely admired by Australians of all ages, with 64.7% naming at least one. Tellingly, although last year’s key players (Gillard, Abbott, Turnbull, Rudd) all made the Top 10, Barack Obama and Nelson Mandela generally out-ranked them.” Ms Levine commented