McKinnon Index Reveals Sharp Decline in Australian Political Trust
The McKinnon Institute reports falling trust in Australian politicians and a rise in political division, with a concerning shift toward justifying violence among young men.
The 2026 McKinnon Index, a survey of 4,000 Australians conducted with Roy Morgan, reveals a significant decline in trust toward politicians and government. Trust in federal politicians fell from 35.9 percent in 2025 to 30.5 percent in 2026, while trust in state and territory politicians dropped to 32.7 percent. For the first time, fewer than half of Australians believe the political system allows them to influence government actions, citing broken promises and dishonesty as primary drivers of distrust.
The McKinnon Institute highlighted a concerning trend among men aged 18 to 24, where support for democracy fell by 10 percent to between 54 percent and 56.1 percent. Approximately 27.5 percent of this demographic now believe extreme measures, including violence, can be justified to advance a political cause. This shift follows an October vehicle attack on federal MP Helen Haines in Wangaratta, Victoria.
Confidence in democracy is split along educational and geographic lines. University graduates express significantly higher satisfaction with democracy than those with a high school education or below. Additionally, residents of remote and outer regional areas report lower satisfaction with public services and democracy than those in major cities. Despite the distrust in elected officials, faith in the Australian Electoral Commission, the judicial system, and the public service remains stable or has increased.
