Alarming Aussie support for political violence revealed
Almost one in 10 Australians believe violence can be justified for a political purpose, as many lose faith in government and mainstream leaders.
A nationwide survey of more than 4,000 people found that just over half are satisfied with the way democracy is working, while just over a third have confidence in federal politicians.
According to the inaugural McKinnon Index released on Sunday, almost nine percent of respondents agreed that violence could be justified for political reasons; This includes a small share who strongly agree.
The findings come after increased violence at political rallies in major cities and injuries to police and protesters at anti-immigrant and pro-Palestinian events.
“Democracy is not a passive legacy; it must be sustainable,” McKinnon CEO and former NSW Liberal premier Mike Baird said.
“This index shows that while our institutions are widely respected, too many Australians feel their leaders do not listen or serve.
“Trust is the foundation of effective government; rebuilding trust is essential for a fairer, stronger Australia.”
The new, annual McKinnon survey was conducted to measure the nation’s democratic health, assessing trust in leaders, the effectiveness of governments and trust in courts and legal systems.
It showed that more than three-quarters of Australians believe democracy is preferable to any other form of government, and more than half have confidence in the integrity and effectiveness of courts and public institutions.
The survey of more than 4,400 people found that state politicians are seen as more trustworthy than their federal counterparts, but trust varies widely across jurisdictions.
While trust in the federal government was highest in the ACT at more than 50 per cent, it was Queenslanders who were most disappointed, with just over 30 per cent saying they had confidence in national authorities.
Among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, faith in the federal government has fallen to just 18.5 per cent.
Faith in politicians was also weak; Only 36 percent of people nationwide said they trusted federal lawmakers.
Nationwide, less than 50 percent thought the elections were free and fair, while 17 percent admitted they voted simply to avoid fines.
