Trust in government takes a dive
Australia has had six prime ministers in 11 years, but was the toppling of Malcolm Turnbull last month the final straw for many?
Community reaction since has suggested that an overwhelming number of Australians are turning their backs on government – at all levels – and viewing proceedings with increasing distrust.
A phone survey of 2218 adults, conducted by Griffith University and Transparency International Australia, supports that perception.
It found that trust and confidence in all levels of government had fallen to 46 per cent for federal and state levels and to 51 per cent for local government.
It also found mounting concerns about public officials or politicians using their positions to benefit themselves and their families.
Project leader Professor AJ Brown, of Griffith University, said: "Continued slippage in the perceived integrity of federal officials clearly has a disproportionate effect on overall trust and confidence, nationwide."
The survey found a nine per cent increase in the view that federal members of parliament are corrupt, with 85 per cent of respondents saying at least "some" are corrupt and 18 per cent believing "most or all" are corrupt.
Sixty-seven per cent of respondents supported the creation of a federal anti-corruption body, with 43 per cent expressing strong support.
Labor dips in latest Newspoll as Scott Morrison widens lead over Bill Shorten and the chap can dance, as well
LOL
TRUST? Not a word you can use in Canberra and this government since Tony Abbott is the most dishonest low life group of MPs ever to disgrace the office. Elected on INTENTIONAL lies which Abbott tore up after he was put into office and has been going the same way ever since.
This lot has no shame and believes it is bullet proof because uncle Rupert and uncle Kerry (Stokes) will run their routine election propaganda campaigns to get them back in. 7 News has already began grooming Morrison to harness votes. We need laws to stop this!