In brief
The latest McKinnon survey reveals a sharp rise in perceived national division and a steep decline in confidence in federal politicians, political parties, and the government overall. Satisfaction with the direction of Australia fell between 2025 and 2026, and the biggest disparity appears along education lines: those with university degrees are twice as satisfied with democracy as those whose highest qualification is only high school.
In a survey conducted between June and July by the independent think‑tank McKinnon, almost three‑quarters of Australians said the country is more divided now than a year ago.
The survey polled more than 4,000 respondents across the country and found that 41.9 percent of participants strongly agreed that division had increased, while another 32.5 percent said they somewhat agreed.
Overall satisfaction with the direction of Australia fell from 28.8 percent in 2025 to 26.1 percent in 2026, while the proportion of people who said they were very dissatisfied rose by 7.2 percentage points.
Trust in federal politicians dropped as well. In 2025, 35.9 percent of respondents reported a high degree of trust in their national politicians; that figure slipped to 30.5 percent in 2026.
Trust in political parties suffered a sharper loss, with the share of respondents indicating a high level of confidence falling from 31.2 percent to just 24.4 percent.
John Thwaites, McKinnon’s interim executive chair and former deputy premier of Victoria, said:
Australians have considerably more confidence in the institutions of democracy than they do in the politics conducted within them. One of the findings I found most striking is the divide by education. Satisfaction with democracy is 59 percent among Australians with a university degree or higher. Among Australians whose highest qualification is high school or below, it is just 39.7 percent.
The survey also noted that 34.6 percent of respondents strongly disagreed with the statement that they feel understood and represented by federal politicians, up from 27.0 percent the previous year.
Low trust in the federal government grew from 46.3 percent in 2025 to 52.8 percent in 2026, indicating growing concerns about how national leaders are managing pressing issues.
Implications for Democracy and Public Accountability
These trends suggest a widening chasm between citizens’ confidence in democratic institutions and their faith in the people who occupy them. A declining sense of representation may lead to lower political engagement, potentially impacting voter turnout and the legitimacy of elected bodies.
Moreover, the stark educational divide underscores a risk of social inequity: those with higher education are markedly more content with democracy than those whose schooling ends in high school. If this divide persists, it could erode the inclusive nature of the political system and fuel further polarization.
For policymakers and institutions in Canberra, the findings call for a renewed focus on transparency, accountability, and responsive governance. Rebuilding trust will require addressing public perceptions of broken promises and the alleged dishonesty that the survey identifies as one of the key drivers of discontent.
In the broader context of Australian governance, these results add urgency to debates over electoral reform, public service reform, and broader democratic innovation. As citizens become increasingly wary of the present political landscape, the health of the democratic process depends on leaders who can bridge divides and restore confidence in both the system and the officials who serve within it.
