That’s a nine per cent increase on last year’s special Global Corruption Barometer survey, an annual survey by the Griffith University and Transparency International Australia that measures trust in governments of all levels.
Just 46 per cent of the 2,218 adults surveyed in 2018 said they trusted federal and state governments a “great deal” or a “fair amount”.
Another 45.6% said they’d seen or suspected officials having unexplained income beyond their public salary in the last 12 months, while 56.3% witnessed or suspected officials make decisions to favour “a business or individual who gave them political donations or support”.
They’re shocking figures – but not surprising when you take a look at our leaders.
Remember NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell’s resignation after a “massive memory fail” about receiving a $3,000 bottle of Penfolds Grange wine – or Malcom Turnbull’s $1.75 million donation to the Liberal Party before he won the election in 2016?
Egos before Australians
No wonder confidence in our pollies is now at its lowest level in 2008 – well before Julia Gillard ousted Kevin Rudd as PM back in 2013.
The current state of #auspol doesn’t help either.
So, can they regain our trust?
The survey also showed two-thirds of us support the creation of a federal anti-corruption body, an idea rejected by the Coalition (not that they’re in a position to argue at the moment) but supported by Labor.
Interestingly, support was highest among those who’d actually worked in federal government.
The researchers say it would cost taxpayers around $110.8 million a year in staffing and costs. But considering the general antipathy towards our nation’s ‘leaders’ and their transparency and decision-making, we’d say it’d be money well-spent.
For one thing our Prime Ministers Avenue might just be able to keep up with the turnover.
