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.

This week the <a href="https://mckinnon.co/index">2026 McKinnon Index</a> was released, and it showed what so many of us feel &ndash; that trust in federal politicians has fallen further &ndash; from 35.9 per cent of people to just 30.5 per cent, in one <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/young-people-most-likely-to-see-political-views-as-dealbreaker-for-friendship-20251107-p5n8n2.html">year</a>.&nbsp;
The McKinnon Index is an annual survey that tracks public perceptions of Australian democracy, and this year&rsquo;s is full of juicy insights.&nbsp;
Joining Jacqueline Maley to discuss the findings is McKinnon Institute CEO and former South Australia Deputy Premier Dr Susan Close.
&nbsp;
Further reading:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/we-can-t-accept-a-political-culture-that-discourages-good-people-from-serving-their-communities-20261102-p61ae2.html">We can&rsquo;t accept a political culture that discourages good people from serving their communities</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/trust-in-politicians-plunges-new-polling-shows-as-education-divide-splits-australian-voters-20261102-p61aag.html">Trust in politicians plunges, new polling shows, as education divide splits Australian voters</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Cut through the noise of federal politics with host Jacqueline Maley and chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal on Inside Politics, from the newsrooms of<a href="https://www.smh.com.au/"> The Sydney Morning Herald</a> and<a href="https://www.theage.com.au/"> The Age</a>, every Friday.

The Morning Edition brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

The Morning Edition brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

The Morning Edition

The Morning Edition brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host Samantha Selinger-Morris from the newsrooms of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, weekdays from 5am.

If you enjoy this podcast and want to hear more, please rate, review & subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or whichever platform you find your pods.

The Morning Edition&nbsp;brings you the story behind the story with the best journalists in Australia. Join host <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/by/samantha-selinger-morris-p4yvwp">Samantha Selinger-Morris</a> from the newsrooms of <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/">The Sydney Morning Herald</a> and <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/">The Age</a>, weekdays from 5am.
If you enjoy this podcast and want to hear more, please rate, review &amp; subscribe on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/channel/smh-the-age/id6442611511">Apple</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1v0tWOA2mdi5WU9hvjJ3da?si=f4b8d7fafdf5495d">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrLulycax3584BxKI1ZqSySsouknCWiUa">YouTube</a>&nbsp;or whichever platform you&nbsp;find your pods.

A health check on Australia's democracy exposes deep divides

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/e52c4cea-456e-4119-b00f-b4f9004ba1ed/transcript