Australians, like others elsewhere in the world, appear to be dispirited about their country's domestic politics.
But unlike voters in the US, Europe and the UK we're more positive about the benefits of immigration.
The annual Lowy Institute Poll, which seeks to ascertain the views of voting-aged Australians on the most important international issues of the day, finds "dysfunction in Australian politics" (65 per cent) rates up there with terrorism and national security (68 per cent) as very important.
Refugees and asylum-seekers, immigration, climate change and China's rise are of significantly lower priority.
On seven of eight key foreign policy issues, the coalition has a clear lead over Labor from national security, the US alliance and relations with China, to the economy, foreign investment and asylum-seekers.
The only issue on which Labor leads is managing climate change.
The poll found more evidence that our views of the US and China are shifting.
When asked two years ago which relationship was more important, 48 per cent said the US and 37 per cent said China.
This year each gets 43 per cent of the vote.
When the prospect of a President Donald Trump is raised, almost half say Australia should distance itself from the US.
The institute's executive director Michael Fullilove noted the US was the only country towards which feelings cooled significantly this year, with our warmth dropping five points to 68 per cent.
"Furthermore, attitudes to the ANZUS alliance, which has stood at the centre of Australia's security since 1951, seem to be moving, perhaps in response to the weirdness of the 2016 presidential race," he said.
Nearly six in 10 say they would be less likely to support Australia taking future military action in coalition with the US under Trump.
Australians remain conflicted about China, Mr Fullilove said.
"It appears most Australians see much to admire about China but are genuinely alarmed at its increasing military assertiveness," he said.
The poll found nine out of 10 of us oppose foreign investment in farmland.
The federal government's asylum-seeker boat turnback policy continues to attract strong support.
Nearly two out of three voters believed stopping the boats meant Australia could take more refugees through UN channels.
The poll found support for offshore detention centres had softened to 54 per cent down five points from 2014.
Three quarters supported overall migration because of its positive effects on the economy.
"Supporting the boat turnback policy does not mean that Australians are anti-immigration," Mr Fullilove said.
"On the contrary, most Australians see immigration as good for the country."
