A new national survey has revealed growing concerns about trust in Australian democracy, with more people expressing dissatisfaction with politicians and the country's political system. The findings were published on 2 November 2026 and highlight differences in political confidence based on age, education, gender and geographical location.

The research, known as the 2026 McKinnon Index, surveyed 4,000 Australians and examined public attitudes towards government institutions, political representatives and democratic participation. Its findings suggest that confidence in politicians has weakened over the past year, raising questions about how effectively Australia's political system represents the interests of ordinary citizens.

One of the most significant findings concerns trust in federal politicians. The proportion of Australians who said they trusted federal politicians fell from 35.9 per cent to 30.5 per cent in one year. Trust in state and territory politicians also declined by six percentage points to 32.7 per cent.

These figures indicate that many Australians are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with political leadership. Discussions surrounding freedom of speech, immigration, social division and antisemitism have also contributed to a challenging political environment.

Geographical differences were another important part of the research. Australians living outside major cities reported lower satisfaction with democracy and government services than people living in metropolitan areas.

According to the survey, only 40.3 per cent of people in outer regional and remote communities were satisfied with democracy. This compares with 52.9 per cent of people living in major cities.

The research also found that people in regional communities were less likely to feel they had an influence on political decisions. Only 38.6 per cent of respondents in outer regional and remote areas felt they had a say in politics, compared with 50.6 per cent in major cities.

Associate Professor Josh Roose from Deakin University's Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation said the findings should be considered carefully but reflected broader social patterns.

Age and gender were also identified as important factors influencing democratic confidence. Support for democracy among men aged between 18 and 24 declined by 10.3 percentage points to 56.1 per cent.

The survey also highlighted concerns about freedom of political expression. Among young men, the belief that people could freely express their political opinions fell by 22.8 percentage points to 49.8 per cent.

Another concerning finding involved attitudes towards political violence. The proportion of young men aged 18 to 24 who believed extreme measures, including violence, could sometimes be justified to advance a cause increased by 8.2 percentage points to 27.5 per cent.

Education also appeared to influence public confidence. Only 39.7 per cent of Australians whose education ended at high school were satisfied with democracy, compared with 59 per cent of university graduates.

Researchers say these differences demonstrate the importance of ensuring that democratic institutions remain accessible and representative of all communities.

The findings do not suggest that Australians have abandoned democracy. Rather, they highlight dissatisfaction with the way political institutions and elected representatives are functioning.

The survey provides important information for political leaders and policymakers as Australia continues to address public concerns about representation, trust, social division and political participation.

Rebuilding confidence will require governments to listen to communities, communicate openly and demonstrate that public concerns are being taken seriously.