[Andrew Gigacz]

A lot of Australians probably consider the words ‘trust’ and ‘politician’ as a contradiction in terms. Actually that’s probably a world-wide sentiment, certainly a prevalent one across the western world.

But bringing the focus back to Aussie politicians, Roy Morgan this week released the results of its latest politician trust poll. And it’s produced some interesting results. Australia’s most trusted politician of March 2022 still remains so today.

At the other end of the spectrum, however, Australia has a new ‘leader’ when it comes to politicians we trust the least.

Australia’s most trusted politician today is … drumroll please … Penny Wong. The federal Labor senator has retained the number one ranking she held nearly two years ago, in March 2022.

While there’s been no change at the very top, there’s been movement at the station elsewhere on the chart. The new number 2 and number 3 on the most trusted list respectively are Shadow Indigenous Affairs Minister Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers. They have jumped into the positions formerly occupied by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Tanya Plibersek, currently Minister for the Environment and Water.

And Australia’s least trusted polly? It’s our alternative PM, Mr Peter Dutton. He has usurped last year’s ‘winner’ Clive Palmer. With Mr Palmer United Australia Party being deregistered in September 2022, he is no longer considered a politician under the Roy Morgan definition.

However, the Morgan survey indicates he would be at number three if he qualified, meaning he and Mr Dutton have effectively swapped positions since March last year.

Former PM Scott Morrison holds down the number 2 spot on the least trusted list, the same as in March 2022. And with Mr Palmer no longer eligible, the man who was at number 2 on the ‘most trusted’ list last year – Anthony Albanese – is now number 3 on the ‘least trusted’ list. That’s quite a fall/rise!

Trust is a very subjective thing, of course, and many of us can be influenced by our personal political allegiances. Notwithstanding that, what do you think of the Roy Morgan results? Are they as you would have expected or are there some surprises in there?

[ronloby]

I don’t trust most pollies as they are only there for their own benefit. Most don’t care about what is going on around them unless it benefits themselves.

[John]

I am very tired of hearing this mantra about most if not all politicians only caring for themselves and their own benefit. In common with the general public of course there are people in politics who are lazy and/or selfish and focused on their own priorities. Nonetheless over the years these self-absorbed politicians amongst others have delivered many landmark programs like compulsory superannuation, Medicare and the NDIS that are significant benefits for the general population. In addition, much of the good work politicians do to assist citizens with personal issues and problems through their electoral offices and their ongoing involvement in community activities is minimized or ignored. There is also their unsung work on parliamentary committees in drafting legislation and developing policy that is not generally recognized and acknowledged. On a personal note, I have known or met a number of politicians in my life and, whilst a minority are cynical and self-absorbed, most have been distinguished by altruism in serving their electorate and their country. It is easy to be critical of politicians who are trying to balance the many disparate influences and forces in our society. Politics is the art of achieving the best possible outcome for our society as a whole and greater awareness and understanding of the difficulties of being a politician whose lives are frequently not their own would be a more helpful attitude rather than making cynical comments. Try talking to your local member – it may help to give you a more balanced view. After all we vote for them.

[Roger Seccombe]

“Shadow Indigenous Affairs Minister Jacinta Nampijinpa Price” 2nd most ‘trusted’ – really?
Led by Spud, she torpedoed the wishes of the vast majority of Indigenous people – for her own political advantage. VERY DISAPPOINTING !

[Author]

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