Trust in government has reached its lowest level on record, with just one-in-four Australians saying they had confidence in their political leaders and institutions, according to a study by the Australian National University (ANU).
The ANU’s latest Australian Election Study also found Australians’ satisfaction with democracy was at its lowest since the 1970s.
Lead Researcher at ANU, Professor Ian McAllister said just 59 per cent of Australians were satisfied with how democracy was working in Australia, down 27 per cent from the study’s record high of 86 per cent in 2007.
“The historic low sits at 56 per cent in 1979,” Professor McAllister said.
“I’ve been studying elections for 40 years, and never have I seen such poor returns for public trust in and satisfaction with democratic institutions.”
He said the findings were a “clear warning” that the nation’s politicians needed to do better in their efforts to represent and win the confidence of Australians.
“In one of the most worrying findings from our study, a little over one-in-10 Australians – 12 per cent – believe the government is run for ‘all the people’,” Professor McAllister said.
“In contrast more than half, 56 per cent, say government is run for a ‘few big interests’.”
“With faith in democracy taking major hits all over the globe, winning back the people’s trust and satisfaction would appear to be one of the most pressing and urgent challenges facing our political leaders and institutions,” he said.
The 30-page ANU report can be accessed at this PS News link.
