FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The 2026 McKinnon Index confirms what many Australians already know: confidence in politicians and political parties is collapsing. Satisfaction with how democracy works has fallen from 54.5% to 50.7%. Confidence that people can freely express political opinions has dropped nearly 10 points, from 67.9% to 58.1%. For the first time, fewer than half of Australians believe the political system allows people like them to have a say.
Former Victorian Deputy Premier and McKinnon’s interim executive chair, John Thwaites, captured the central problem: “people need to know their voice matters” and that voters need to “see leaders acting with integrity, keeping their promises and delivering outcomes that make a difference.”
Australians for Better Government (ABG) agrees. “The Index shows the public is rejecting a system in which politicians routinely break promises, ignore public opinion, and face no effective mechanism to be held accountable between elections” said ABG President Steven Tripp.
The McKinnon data shows that while Australians still prefer democracy as a system of government, they are losing faith in how it currently operates. Reforming Australia’s system of government, optimising its performance, and building real accountability into it has been ABG’s clear mission.
“Our feedback is that Australians feel they have no say. This data from McKinnon confirms it,” added Mr Tripp. “The system provides no tangible accountability for politicians and voters are treated as spectators. We need to build accountability directly into the system.”
ABG is calling for practical reforms that give voters real power: a Citizens Initiated Veto (CIV) so the public can repeal laws that betray promises or impose major changes without consent; Citizens Initiated Referendums (CIR); recall elections for representatives who lose the confidence of their constituents; and votes at elections on issues of fundamental importance, including immigration levels, debt ceilings, and the continuation of membership to international bodies.
These measures would restore public agency, pressure politicians to keep their word, and empower voters with direct forms of democracy. Combined with free-speech protections, clearer separation of powers, and better civics education, these will rebuild trust and optimise our system of Government.
“Australians still believe in democracy,” Mr Tripp added. “What they no longer believe is that the current system and the politicians work for them. It is time for the Australian people to lead constitutional and structural reform that puts voters back in charge.”
ENDS
About Australians for Better Government
Australians for Better Government is a non-partisan advocacy organisation dedicated to reforming Australia’s democratic processes. Through education, public events, and policy advocacy, ABG works to promote greater accountability, transparency, and genuine representation in government for the benefit of all Australians. ABG’s extensive solutions and proposals can be found on their website www.australiansforbetter.com
For Editors
Contact: Steven Tripp - ABG President
Email: steven.tripp@australiansforbetter.com
Tel: +61 433 401 281
Website: https://www.australiansforbetter.com
Further comments and photos are available immediately, on request.
