This week the 2026 McKinnon Index was released, and it showed what so many of us feel – that trust in federal politicians has fallen further – from 35.9 per cent of people to just 30.5 per cent, in one year. 

The McKinnon Index is an annual survey that tracks public perceptions of Australian democracy, and this year’s is full of juicy insights. 

Joining Jacqueline Maley to discuss the findings is McKinnon Institute CEO and former South Australia Deputy Premier Dr Susan Close.

Further reading:

• We can’t accept a political culture that discourages good people from serving their communities
• Trust in politicians plunges, new polling shows, as education divide splits Australian voters

Cut through the noise of federal politics with host Jacqueline Maley and chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal on Inside Politics, from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, every Friday.