More than half of Australians express confidence in five non-partisan institutions - the armed forces, police, universities, courts and elections. Australians have the least confidence in political parties (11 per cent confidence), the press (17 per cent confidence) and television (18 per cent confidence).
Australians express the most confidence in the armed forces (83 per cent confidence), police (80 per cent confidence) and universities (73 per cent confidence).
Australians have the least confidence in political parties (11 per cent confidence), television (18 per cent confidence) and the press (17 per cent confidence).
59 per cent of respondents hold ‘a great deal’ or ‘quite a lot’ of confidence in the courts and elections.
More Australians express confidence in major companies (37 per cent) and banks (35 per cent) than unions (30 per cent confidence).
The World Values Survey asks citizens how much confidence they hold in fifteen civil and political institutions, allowing a broad comparison of Australian attitudes towards major institutions and organisations. The data shows that for ten of the fifteen institutions, over half of respondents express ‘not very much’ or ‘no confidence at all’.
Australians express the most confidence in the armed forces, police and universities. 83 per cent of respondents say they have ‘a great deal’ or ‘quite a lot’ of confidence in the armed forces, and 80 per cent say the same for the police. 73 per cent express confidence in universities. Only 4 per cent of respondents say they have ‘no confidence at all’ in these organisations.
Australian courts and elections are the only other institutions to enjoy over 50 per cent confidence: 59 per cent of respondents express ‘a great deal’ or ‘quite a lot’ of confidence. Broadly speaking, these five institutions, while political, are non-partisan, which may contribute to their comparatively high confidence ratings. Indeed, just 11 per cent of Australians express confidence in political parties and 28 per cent report confidence in federal parliament. Alongside political parties, Australians hold the least confidence in the press and television. Just 17 per cent of respondents express confidence in the press, while 18 per cent say they have confidence in television.
Australians express more confidence in financial institutions than unions or the public service. 37 per cent report confidence in major companies, 35 per cent for banks, and 30 per cent for unions. Just 28 per cent of respondents say they have confidence in the public service. While the public service is non-partisan, it may be associated with the performance of the government of the day. In this case, 30 per cent of Australians express confidence in the federal government.