Australian democracy ‘under stress but not in crisis’

Australians are being warned democracy is under stress as trust in politics declines, although it hasn’t reached breaking point.

Fewer than one-in-three people reported having trust in government officials, with the main concerns including the lack of transparency around decision-making, public sector inefficiency and a disconnection between politicians and the community.

Democratic backsliding across the world has become a norm,” Charles Sturt University deputy vice-chancellor of research Mark Evans said on Wednesday, as he launched his report into Australian democracy at Parliament House.

“We see a picture of a democracy in Australia under stress, but not in crisis,” he said.

There were concerns about “the perceived failure of governments to deliver solutions to pressing issues such as the cost-of-living crisis” as well as political donations and government advertising undermining the fairness of elections.

Australia needs to breach the trust divide by making the system of government more representative, accountable, collaborative and responsive to the policy needs of citizens,” he said

There had to be “a stronger focus on integrity in politics, ensuring that governments and politicians deliver tangible policy outcomes for the public”, he said.

“They want to see more collaborative politics, they want to see more cleaner politics,” he said.

“They want governments to be more outcome-oriented, focusing on issues like, are the kids going to be able to ever afford a house?

“Are we going to be able to afford a reasonable standard of living to actually enjoy this amazing country that we live in?”

Independent MP Allegra Spender, who claimed the seat of Wentworth off the Liberals in 2022, was critical of politicians from major parties failing to represent their communities and instead toeing the party line.

“It was, you weren’t the community’s representative in Canberra, you were the Liberal Party’s representative in Wentworth,” she said of her Liberal predecessors.

People wanted politicians to seek common ground for the good of the community while major parties were incentivised to create division “because that creates contrast”, Ms Spender said.

“So if you demonise them, you look better,” she said.

While Australia had largely avoided the “rancorous populist politics” seen overseas, there was a threat it was on the rise following the voice referendum and “continued pandering to regressive immigration policies”, Prof Evans said.

“The issue of the lack of collaboration comes up again and again and again and again,” he said.

Community division worsened during tough economic times when people were less optimistic and there were fewer opportunities, University of Canberra fellow and pre-eminent political journalist Michelle Grattan contended.

Independent senator David Pocock accused politicians and the major parties of being too scared to tackle the required reform in areas such as housing and climate change, due to vested interests.

There was a disconnect between the rhetoric of politicians while campaigning and then what they did when they came into power, Senator Pocock said.

“I think it’s vested interests and self-interest,” he said.

“When it comes to things around climate change and the phase-out of fossil fuels they’re consistently disregarding the science because there are vested interests.

“Powerful companies and lobby groups that are not only lobbying them but have a very big stick and say, ‘if you do this … we will be coming after you’.”