Trust in Australia’s federal government has continued to decline over the past year, with voters citing broken promises, dishonesty, and a perceived disconnect between politicians and the public as key factors driving the erosion of confidence.
The 2026 McKinnon index, a nonpartisan measurement of Australians' engagement with and understanding of democracy, found that only 30.5 percent of respondents now trust federal politicians—down more than five percentage points from previous years. The survey, conducted by polling firm Roy Morgan, also revealed a broader drop in trust at the state and territory government levels, alongside fewer than one-quarter of Australians expressing strong trust in political parties.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has attributed the decline in political trust to social media algorithms, which he says amplify divisive content and push users toward more extreme political views. Opposing this, federal opposition leader Angus Taylor blamed the Albanese administration’s record, pointing to a series of broken commitments, and specifically referenced tax policy changes introduced in the May budget as contributing factors undermining public support.
The poll also indicated a dip in the public’s overall satisfaction with Australia's democratic system, which fell to 50.4 percent. Despite waning confidence in elected officials, more than 75 percent of Australians maintained the view that democracy remains the best form of government available.
A notable shift was seen in attitudes toward freedom of expression. Only 58.7 percent of respondents believed Australians are free to express their political opinions, marking a decline of over 10 percentage points since 2025. Meanwhile, nearly three-quarters of participants felt that the country had become more politically divided in the past year, with many describing national political discourse as unhealthy and disrespectful rather than constructive.
The survey, carried out before an alleged violent incident involving federal independent MP Helen Haines in Wangaratta, Victoria, last month, also found that 10.1 percent of Australians agreed that “extreme measures” such as violence are sometimes justified.
On a more positive note, trust in electoral commissions and federal and state public services saw increases, suggesting some confidence remained in institutional frameworks beyond elected personnel.
John Thwaites, McKinnon’s interim executive chairman, emphasized that while Australia’s democratic foundations appeared resilient, the growing distrust in elected representatives posed a challenge. “People need to know their voice matters,” he said. “They also need to see leaders acting with integrity, keeping their promises and delivering outcomes that make a difference to their lives. Both matter if we want to rebuild trust.”