Trust in Institutions
Q. How much trust do you have in the following institutions and organisations?
| NET: Total Trust | A lot of trust | Some trust | A little trust | No trust | Unsure | Mar
2019 |
Sep 2018 | Oct 2017 | Sep 2016 | |
| Federal police | 68% | 24% | 45% | 18% | 9% | 5% | 66% | 70% | 71% | 63% |
| State police | 68% | 23% | 45% | 20% | 8% | 4% | 66% | 67% | 67% | 63% |
| The High Court | 61% | 21% | 40% | 23% | 10% | 6% | 58% | 61% | 61% | 57% |
| The Reserve Bank | 60% | 16% | 44% | 23% | 10% | 7% | 49% | 50% | 49% | 47% |
| The ABC | 58% | 19% | 39% | 22% | 12% | 8% | 51% | 54% | 52% | 53% |
| Courts and the legal system | 57% | 16% | 41% | 27% | 12% | 4% | – | – | – | – |
| Charitable organisations | 54% | 12% | 42% | 27% | 13% | 6% | 50% | 47% | 46% | 43% |
| Federal Parliament | 53% | 13% | 40% | 29% | 13% | 5% | 35% | 28% | 30% | 26% |
| Your local council | 53% | 10% | 43% | 29% | 14% | 5% | 43% | 42% | 38% | 36% |
| The Commonwealth public service | 52% | 11% | 40% | 31% | 10% | 8% | 42% | 39% | 38% | 36% |
| State Parliament | 51% | 12% | 40% | 29% | 14% | 6% | 36% | 31% | 31% | 26% |
| Environment groups | 46% | 12% | 33% | 30% | 18% | 7% | 43% | 42% | 42% | 39% |
| Trade unions | 42% | 8% | 34% | 29% | 21% | 9% | 31% | 25% | 25% | 25% |
| Business groups | 40% | 6% | 34% | 37% | 15% | 9% | 31% | 29% | 28% | 27% |
| Religious organisations | 35% | 8% | 27% | 28% | 31% | 6% | 27% | 28% | 26% | 26% |
| Political parties | 33% | 5% | 28% | 38% | 22% | 7% | 22% | 15% | 18% | 14% |
- There have been large increases in the trust in institutions and organisations from last year.
- Trust in the following all significantly increased from last year: federal parliament (35% to 53%), state parliament (36% to 51%), local councils (43% to 53%), the Commonwealth public service (42% to 52%), the Reserve bank (49% to 60%), business groups (31% to 40%), trade unions (31% to 42%), religious organisations (27% to 35%) and political parties (22% to 33%).
- Federal and state police (68% trust) remain the most trusted institutions in the list.
Party trust to handle issues
Q. Which party would you trust most to handle the following issues?
| Liberal | Labor | Unsure | Difference | Difference Mar’19 | |
| Border Protection | 52% | 31% | 17% | +21 | +19 |
| Management of the economy | 49% | 34% | 17% | +15 | +15 |
| Security and the war on terrorism | 48% | 31% | 21% | +17 | +16 |
| Political leadership | 42% | 38% | 20% | +4 | +5 |
| Controlling interest rates | 41% | 32% | 27% | +9 | +12 |
| Managing population growth | 40% | 34% | 26% | +6 | +10 |
| Ensuring a fair taxation system | 39% | 43% | 18% | -4 | -1 |
| Treatment of asylum seekers | 39% | 38% | 23% | +1 | -1 |
| Protecting Australian jobs and protection of local industries | 37% | 46% | 17% | -9 | -3 |
| Ensuring a quality education for all children | 37% | 44% | 19% | -7 | -8 |
| Standing up to big business | 36% | 43% | 21% | -7 | -5 |
| Ensuring a quality water supply | 36% | 38% | 26% | -2 | -2 |
| Ensuring the quality of Australia’s health system | 36% | 45% | 19% | -9 | -6 |
| Housing affordability | 35% | 42% | 23% | -7 | -7 |
| Fair wages and workplace conditions | 33% | 52% | 15% | -19 | -18 |
| Protecting the environment | 30% | 44% | 26% | -14 | -8 |
| Addressing climate change | 29% | 44% | 27% | -15 | -10 |
| Base (n) | 1,033 | 1,033 | 1,033 | – | 1,089 |
- The Liberal party is most trusted to handle border protection (52%, 21pt higher than Labor), manage the economy (49%, 15pt higher than Labor) and manage security and the war on terrorism (48%, 17pt ahead of Labor).
- Labor are most trusted to handle fair wages and workplace conditions (52%, 19pt ahead of Liberal), protect Australian jobs and protection of local industries (46%, 9pt over Liberal) and ensure the quality of Australia’s health system (45%, 9pt over Liberal).
- Labor have increased the trust gap between themselves and the Liberals in addressing climate change since March of this year – Labour now has a 15pt lead over Liberal on this issue up from 10pt earlier this year.
- Labour have also closed the gap in managing population growth, with a 6pt lag behind Liberals compared to 10pt in Mar’19.
Trust in Media Outlets
Q. How much trust do you have in what you read or hear in the following media? NET: A lot of trust/Some trust
| June 2019 | Oct’18 | |
| SBS TV news and current affairs | 60% | 61% |
| ABC radio news and current affairs | 58% | 57% |
| Commercial TV news and current affairs | 47% | 48% |
| News and opinion in daily newspapers | 46% | 44% |
| News and opinion in local newspapers | 46% | 47% |
| ABC radio talkback programs | 45% | 44% |
| Commercial radio news and current affairs | 44% | 44% |
| News and opinion websites | 37% | 39% |
| Commercial radio talkback programs | 34% | 35% |
| Internet blogs | 19% | 17% |
- A majority of people had at least some trust in SBS TV news (60%) and ABC radio news (57%), while none of the other sources gained above 50%.
- There was little change from last year in the levels of trust recorded for each media source.
- There were few significant differences by age, gender, income or highest level of education attained.
Trust
Q. Which party would you trust most to handle the following issues?
| Liberal Party | Labor Party | Unsure | Difference between Liberal and Labor | |
| Border Protection | 45% | 26% | 29% | +19 |
| Security and the war on terrorism | 42% | 26% | 32% | +16 |
| Management of the economy | 44% | 29% | 27% | +15 |
| Controlling interest rates | 39% | 27% | 34% | +12 |
| Managing population growth | 37% | 27% | 35% | +10 |
| Political leadership | 37% | 32% | 32% | +5 |
| Ensuring a fair taxation system | 35% | 36% | 29% | -1 |
| Treatment of asylum seekers | 33% | 34% | 33% | -1 |
| Ensuring a quality water supply | 32% | 33% | 35% | -2 |
| Protecting Australian jobs and protection of local industries | 36% | 39% | 25% | -3 |
| Standing up to big business | 33% | 37% | 30% | -5 |
| Ensuring the quality of Australia’s health system | 32% | 39% | 29% | -6 |
| Housing affordability | 30% | 38% | 32% | -7 |
| Ensuring a quality education for all children | 32% | 39% | 29% | -8 |
| Protecting the environment | 28% | 36% | 36% | -8 |
| Addressing climate change | 27% | 36% | 37% | -10 |
| Fair wages and workplace conditions | 28% | 46% | 26% | -18 |
More people trust the Liberal party than Labor on Border Protection, Security and the war on terrorism, Management of the economy, Controlling interest rates, Managing population growth and Political leadership.
Policy areas in which there is more trust in Labor include Fair wages and workplace conditions, Addressing climate change, Protecting the environment and Ensuring a quality education for children.
Trust in institutions
Q. How much trust do you have in the following institutions and organisations?
| NET: Total Trust | A lot of trust | Some trust | A little trust | No trust | Unsure | Sep 2018 | Oct 2017 | Sep 2016 | |
| Federal police | 66% | 28% | 37% | 21% | 9% | 4% | 70% | 71% | 63% |
| State police | 66% | 28% | 38% | 20% | 10% | 4% | 67% | 67% | 63% |
| The High Court | 58% | 23% | 35% | 23% | 13% | 6% | 61% | 61% | 57% |
| The ABC | 51% | 19% | 32% | 27% | 14% | 8% | 54% | 52% | 53% |
| Charitable organisations | 50% | 13% | 37% | 30% | 14% | 6% | 47% | 46% | 43% |
| The Reserve Bank | 49% | 18% | 31% | 26% | 17% | 9% | 50% | 49% | 47% |
| Your local council | 43% | 10% | 33% | 33% | 18% | 6% | 42% | 38% | 36% |
| Environment groups | 43% | 14% | 29% | 28% | 21% | 7% | 42% | 42% | 39% |
| The Commonwealth public service | 42% | 10% | 32% | 35% | 14% | 9% | 39% | 38% | 36% |
| State Parliament | 36% | 9% | 27% | 31% | 27% | 6% | 31% | 31% | 26% |
| Federal Parliament | 35% | 10% | 25% | 29% | 29% | 8% | 28% | 30% | 26% |
| Business groups | 31% | 5% | 26% | 37% | 23% | 9% | 29% | 28% | 27% |
| Trade unions | 31% | 7% | 23% | 26% | 33% | 10% | 25% | 25% | 25% |
| Religious organisations | 27% | 7% | 20% | 24% | 42% | 7% | 28% | 26% | 26% |
| Political parties | 22% | 4% | 17% | 34% | 37% | 7% | 15% | 18% | 14% |
Trust is highest for the Federal and State police (66%), the High Court (58%). More than half of Australians have trust in the ABC (51%) and half trust charitable organisations (50%).
Trust is lowest for political parties (22%) and religious organisations (27%), Trade Unions (31%) and Business groups (31%).
Trust to implement recommendations of the Banking Royal Commission
Q. Who do you trust to implement the recommendations of the Banking Royal Commission?
| Total | Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | |
| Scott Morrison and the Liberal Party | 23% | 28% | 18% | 21% | 18% | 29% |
| Bill Shorten and the Labor Party | 27% | 30% | 25% | 27% | 30% | 25% |
| No difference | 35% | 34% | 37% | 33% | 37% | 36% |
| Don’t know | 15% | 9% | 20% | 19% | 15% | 10% |
Over a third of people (35%) believe it will make no difference whether a Coalition or Labor Government implement the recommendations of the Banking Royal Commission.
Males (28%) and voters over the age of 55 (29%) are most likely to trust the Coalition to deliver the recommendations.
| Total | Labor | Liberal + National | Greens | NET: Other | |
| Scott Morrison and the Liberal Party | 23% | 5% | 56% | 6% | 17% |
| Bill Shorten and the Labor Party | 27% | 60% | 5% | 32% | 8% |
| No difference | 35% | 26% | 29% | 45% | 58% |
| Don’t know | 15% | 9% | 9% | 18% | 16% |
Trust to deliver the Banking Royal Commission recommendations generally follow party voting intention, with 60% of Labor voters, and 56% of Coalition voters trusting their own party.
Greens voters (45%) and minor party/independent voters (58%) are most likely to think it will no make a difference who implements the recommendations.
Trust in media
Q. How much trust do you have in what you read or hear in the following media?
| Total a lot /some
trust |
A lot of trust | Some trust | Not much trust | No trust at all | Don’t know | Don’t use | % change | Total a lot /some
Oct 17 |
|||
| ABC TV news and current affairs | 62% | 19% | 43% | 14% | 9% | 5% | 10% | -1 | 63% | ||
| SBS TV news and current affairs | 61% | 18% | 43% | 14% | 6% | 5% | 15% | – | 61% | ||
| ABC radio news and current affairs | 57% | 17% | 40% | 17% | 8% | 4% | 14% | -1 | 58% | ||
| Commercial TV news and current affairs | 48% | 8% | 40% | 29% | 12% | 5% | 7% | +3 | 45% | ||
| News and opinion in local newspapers | 47% | 6% | 41% | 27% | 9% | 4% | 13% | +3 | 44% | ||
| ABC radio talkback programs | 44% | 8% | 36% | 22% | 10% | 5% | 20% | – | 44% | ||
| News and opinion in daily newspapers | 44% | 6% | 38% | 28% | 10% | 5% | 12% | +2 | 42% | ||
| Commercial radio news and current affairs | 44% | 5% | 39% | 28% | 11% | 5% | 13% | +3 | 41% | ||
| News and opinion websites | 39% | 4% | 35% | 32% | 11% | 5% | 13% | -1 | 40% | ||
| Commercial radio talkback programs | 35% | 4% | 31% | 29% | 14% | 5% | 18% | – | 35% | ||
| Internet blogs | 17% | 2% | 15% | 34% | 22% | 6% | 20% | -3 | 20% |
Overall, there has been little change in trust in media since this question was asked 12 months ago.
The most trusted media were ABC TV news and current affairs (62% a lot/some trust), SBS TV news and current affairs (61%) and ABC radio news and current affairs (57%).
The least trusted were internet blogs (17%) and commercial radio talkback programs (35%).
Trust in news sources
Q. How much trust do you have in what you read in the following newspapers and news websites?
| Total a lot /some
trust |
A lot of trust | Some trust | Not much trust | No trust at all | Don’t know | ||
| ABC news websites | 69% | 21% | 48% | 16% | 9% | 6% | |
| The Australian | 59% | 12% | 47% | 22% | 11% | 9% | |
| The Guardian Australia website | 55% | 10% | 45% | 23% | 11% | 12% | |
| News.com.au | 55% | 10% | 45% | 27% | 12% | 7% | |
| Sydney Morning Herald | 54% | 13% | 41% | 25% | 11% | 10% | |
| The Age | 53% | 9% | 44% | 24% | 13% | 11% | |
| Nine.com.au | 53% | 8% | 45% | 27% | 13% | 6% | |
| The Telegraph | 49% | 10% | 39% | 26% | 14% | 11% | |
| Herald Sun | 46% | 8% | 38% | 27% | 15% | 11% | |
| Yahoo 7 News website | 45% | 6% | 39% | 29% | 16% | 9% | |
| Courier Mail | 44% | 6% | 38% | 30% | 15% | 13% | |
| Daily Mail website | 39% | 6% | 33% | 31% | 21% | 10% |
* Note : Percentages based only on respondents who had read/used each newspaper/website
Overall, among those who have read or used them, the most trusted news sources were the ABC news websites (69%), The Australian (59%), The Guardian Australia (55%) and news.com.au (55%).
The least trusted were The Daily Mail (39%) and The Courier Mail (44%).
© Essential Media Communications.
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