The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

5 charts show how trust in Australia's leaders and institutions has collapsed

  • Written by Samuel Wilson, Associate Professor of Leadership, Swinburne University of Technology
5 charts show how trust in Australia's leaders and institutions has collapsed

Whatever the result of the 2022 election, one thing is clear: many Australians are losing faith that their social institutions serve their interests.

Our annual survey[1] of 4,000 Australians about leadership for the greater good shows the gulf between what the community expects and what they perceive.

Leaders and institutions are now widely seen as more concerned with their own interests, not the public interest.

The rise and fall of leadership for the good

We’ve been tracking public perceptions of leadership and integrity since 2018 to compile the Australian Leadership Index[2]. It covers four major institutional sectors – the government, the public sector, private enterprise, and the non-government sector.

In 2020, with the pandemic, public perceptions of leadership across these sectors rose. In 2021, however, three sectors have declined significantly. Only the public sector has sustained favourable perceptions it serves the public interest, thanks largely to the performance of public health institutions throughout the pandemic.

Federal government has fallen furthest

The steepest falls in perceptions of leadership have been for the federal government. Its index score – a measure of overall leadership perceptions – fell from from a high of +17 in late 2020 to -15 in late 2021.

In essence, this score means most people by the end of last year didn’t believe the government was committed to the public interest or showed leadership for the public good. That’s a stunning shift from generally positive public perceptions in 2020.

Faith in public integrity has collapsed

The steep decline in perceptions of the federal government’s leadership has been matched by the collapse of perceptions of public integrity.

As outlined by South Australia’s Independent Commission Against Corruption[3], public integrity comprises several core themes: public trust, public interest, morality, impartiality, transparency and accountability.

Read more: Perceptions of corruption are growing in Australia, and it's costing the economy[4]

Perceptions of government integrity fell sharply in 2021 across indicators such as morality and ethics, transparency and accountability. Expectations of public integrity also increased.

The following chart shows public perceptions and expectations of the federal government’s morality and ethics since Scott Morrison became prime minister in August 2018. It is indicative of the trends observed for all other indicators of government integrity.

Given the corrosive effects of declining public trust in the institutions of democracy, reversing these perceptions should be a priority for whichever party is in government.

Most want environmental action

Action on environment and climate are becoming key drivers of public perceptions of institutional leadership across all sectors.

The following graph shows how institutions across all sectors perform in terms of creating positive environmental outcomes and the influence of their environmental performance on public perceptions of their leadership.

Australian Leadership Index perceptions of envrionmental leadership
Australian Leadership Index, CC BY[5] Our results show national and multinational businesses, trade unions and the federal government are judged as very poor environmental performers. By contrast, small and medium enterprises, charities, education institutions and charities are perceived to be performing strongly. Health workers still heroes Since the Australian Leadership Index started collecting data in 2018, the public health sector has consistently rated positively. In 2020 these perceptions spiked even higher. They remained high throughout 2021. Of all the institutions the index measures, only charities are on par in terms of perceived leadership for the public good. Ideas of leadership have changed Perceptions of what leadership for the greater good looks like appear to have shifted between 2020 and 2021. In 2020, the focus was on security, protection and institutional responsiveness to the needs of society (health care, financial support and so on). In 2021, there was a much greater concern for the processes and principles that inform and govern the actions of authorities and institutions. The principles of public integrity – morality and ethics, transparency, accountability and concern for the public interest – now trump security in community assessments of leadership for the greater good. Read more: Equality and fairness: vaccines against this pandemic of mistrust[6] It is timely to reflect on the state of our social institutions and to have a national conversation about what our institutions could or should look like to promote flourishing and help rather than harm the public good. Whoever forms government next week would do well to take note of community aspirations and expectations for social institutions that serve the interests of the many, not the few. References^ annual survey (www.australianleadershipindex.org)^ Australian Leadership Index (www.australianleadershipindex.org)^ Independent Commission Against Corruption (www.icac.sa.gov.au)^ Perceptions of corruption are growing in Australia, and it's costing the economy (theconversation.com)^ CC BY (creativecommons.org)^ Equality and fairness: vaccines against this pandemic of mistrust (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/5-charts-show-how-trust-in-australias-leaders-and-institutions-has-collapsed-183441

Times Magazine

Building a Strong Online Presence with Katoomba Web Design

Katoomba web design is more than just creating a website that looks good—it’s about building an online presence that reflects your brand, engages your audience, and drives results. For local businesses in the Blue Mountains, a well-designed website a...

September Sunset Polo

International Polo Tour To Bridge Historic Sport, Life-Changing Philanthropy, and Breath-Taking Beauty On Saturday, September 6th, history will be made as the International Polo Tour (IPT), a sports leader headquartered here in South Florida...

5 Ways Microsoft Fabric Simplifies Your Data Analytics Workflow

In today's data-driven world, businesses are constantly seeking ways to streamline their data analytics processes. The sheer volume and complexity of data can be overwhelming, often leading to bottlenecks and inefficiencies. Enter the innovative da...

7 Questions to Ask Before You Sign IT Support Companies in Sydney

Choosing an IT partner can feel like buying an insurance policy you hope you never need. The right choice keeps your team productive, your data safe, and your budget predictable. The wrong choice shows up as slow tickets, surprise bills, and risky sh...

Choosing the Right Legal Aid Lawyer in Sutherland Shire: Key Considerations

Legal aid services play an essential role in ensuring access to justice for all. For people in the Sutherland Shire who may not have the financial means to pay for private legal assistance, legal aid ensures that everyone has access to representa...

Watercolor vs. Oil vs. Digital: Which Medium Fits Your Pet's Personality?

When it comes to immortalizing your pet’s unique personality in art, choosing the right medium is essential. Each artistic medium, whether watercolor, oil, or digital, has distinct qualities that can bring out the spirit of your furry friend in dif...

The Times Features

How much money do you need to be happy? Here’s what the research says

Over the next decade, Elon Musk could become the world’s first trillionaire[1]. The Tesla board recently proposed a US$1 trillion (A$1.5 trillion) compensation plan, if Musk ca...

NSW has a new fashion sector strategy – but a sustainable industry needs a federally legislated response

The New South Wales government recently announced the launch of the NSW Fashion Sector Strategy, 2025–28[1]. The strategy, developed in partnership with the Australian Fashion ...

From Garden to Gift: Why Roses Make the Perfect Present

Think back to the last time you gave or received flowers. Chances are, roses were part of the bunch, or maybe they were the whole bunch.   Roses tend to leave an impression. Even ...

Do I have insomnia? 5 reasons why you might not

Even a single night of sleep trouble can feel distressing and lonely. You toss and turn, stare at the ceiling, and wonder how you’ll cope tomorrow. No wonder many people star...

Wedding Photography Trends You Need to Know (Before You Regret Your Album)

Your wedding album should be a timeless keepsake, not something you cringe at years later. Trends may come and go, but choosing the right wedding photography approach ensures your ...

Can you say no to your doctor using an AI scribe?

Doctors’ offices were once private. But increasingly, artificial intelligence (AI) scribes (also known as digital scribes) are listening in. These tools can record and trans...