Alarming Aussie support for political violence revealed

Robyn Wuth |

A survey of attitudes to democracy found some Australians support violence for political causes.
A survey of attitudes to democracy found some Australians support violence for political causes.

Nearly one in 10 Australians believe violence can be justified for a political cause as many lose faith in government and mainstream leaders.

A nationwide survey of more than 4000 people found just over half were satisfied with how democracy worked, while a little over one-third said they trusted federal politicians.

Almost nine per cent of those surveyed agreed violence could be justified for political causes, including a small share who strongly agreed with that position, according to the inaugural McKinnon Index released on Sunday.

A polling station in NSW
Just over half of those surveyed said they were satisfied with how democracy worked for voters. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

The findings follow rising violence at political rallies in major cities, with police and protesters injured at anti-immigration and pro-Palestinian events.

“Democracy is not a passive inheritance – it must be a sustained, McKinnon chief executive and former NSW Liberal premier Mike Baird said. 

“This index shows that while our institutions are largely respected, too many Australians feel their leaders are not listening or delivering.

“Trust is the foundation of effective government – rebuilding it is essential for a fairer, stronger Australia.”

Sussan Ley and Anthony Albanese in Question Time
Federal politicians have lost trust from the community, the survey’s organisers said. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

The new, annual McKinnon survey has been set up to measure the nation’s democratic health, assessing trust in leaders, the effectiveness of governments and confidence in the court and legal systems.

It showed that more than three-quarters of Australians believed democracy was preferable to any other form of government, with more than half confident in the integrity and effectiveness of the courts and public institutions. 

The survey of more than 4,400 people showed state politicians were considered more trustworthy than their federal counterparts, but confidence varied widely between jurisdictions.

Protesters hold the Aboriginal flag at Parliament House in Canberra
The loss of faith in the federal government was most marked among Indigenous Australians. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

Trust in the federal government was highest in the ACT, at more than 50 per cent, while Queenslanders were the most disillusioned, with just over 30 per cent saying they trusted national authorities.

Among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, faith in the federal government fell to just 18.5 per cent.

Faith in politicians was also weak, with only 36 per cent of people nationwide saying they trusted federal MPs.

Across the country, less than 50 per cent considered elections free and fair, while 17 per cent admitted they only vote to avoid fines. 

AAP