Trust in Politicians Falls to 30.5 Per Cent
Roy Morgan's 2026 McKinnon Index shows declining confidence in federal politicians, political parties and the federal government.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Elections
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Roy Morgan's 2026 McKinnon Index, based on a survey of 4,273 Australians, found trust in federal politicians fell from 35.9 per cent in 2025 to 30.5 per cent in 2026. Confidence in political parties dropped from 31.2 per cent to 24.4 per cent over the same period.
Why it matters
The survey results point to a widening gap between Australians and their political institutions, with 74.4 per cent believing the country has become more divided over the past year. Satisfaction with democracy also fell, from 54.5 per cent to 50.7 per cent, even as 76.4 per cent still regard democracy as preferable to other forms of government.
The survey sample of 4,273 Australians shows trust in federal politicians falling 5.4 percentage points year on year, with the research conducted in July 2026. The extraction does not specify the reasons behind the decline.
The players
Roy Morgan
Roy Morgan is an Australian market research company known for its long-running consumer and public opinion surveys.
Australian Electoral Commission
The Australian Electoral Commission is the independent federal agency responsible for conducting federal elections and maintaining the electoral roll.
The details
Roy Morgan conducted the research in July 2026 and reported that trust in the federal government fell to 33.1 per cent. Among men aged 18 to 24, the share believing Australians can freely express political opinions dropped from 72.6 per cent in 2025 to 49.8 per cent.
Timeline
July 2026: Roy Morgan conducts the survey.
2025: Prior-year baseline figures are recorded.
3 November 2026: McKinnon Index results are published.
28 November 2026: Victorian state election is scheduled.
Big Picture
The 2026 results extend the annual McKinnon Index series by Roy Morgan, which tracks Australians' trust in federal institutions year on year. This year's fall in trust in federal politicians continues the decline reflected in the series' 2025 baseline.
Lower trust in parties and politicians can affect how willing citizens are to engage with elections and public consultation. The survey indicates most Australians still back democracy as a system of government, even as confidence in its leaders weakens.
The takeaway
The findings suggest that declining trust in politicians sits alongside continued strong support for democracy itself. Readers interested in how these results compare with other measures of public opinion can follow future McKinnon Index releases.
What happens next
The Victorian state election is scheduled for 28 November 2026, providing the next measurable test of voter sentiment in the state.
Further reading
For context on the upcoming contests, see Elections coverage across Australia.
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