No surprise here: 85 per cent of Aussies believe our federal politicians are corrupt

That’s a nine per cent increase on last year’s special Global Corruption Barometer survey, an annual survey by the Griffith University and Transparency International Australia that measures trust in governments of all levels.  

Just 46 per cent of the 2,218 adults surveyed in 2018 said they trusted federal and state governments a “great deal” or a “fair amount”.  

Another 45.6% said they’d seen or suspected officials having unexplained income beyond their public salary in the last 12 months, while 56.3% witnessed or suspected officials make decisions to favour “a business or individual who gave them political donations or support”.  

They’re shocking figures – but not surprising when you take a look at our leaders. 

Remember NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell’s resignation after a “massive memory fail” about receiving a $3,000 bottle of Penfolds Grange wine – or Malcom Turnbull’s $1.75 million donation to the Liberal Party before he won the election in 2016? 

Egos before Australians 

No wonder confidence in our pollies is now at its lowest level in 2008 – well before Julia Gillard ousted Kevin Rudd as PM back in 2013. 

The current state of #auspol doesn’t help either. 

So, can they regain our trust? 

The survey also showed two-thirds of us support the creation of a federal anti-corruption body, an idea rejected by the Coalition (not that they’re in a position to argue at the moment) but supported by Labor.  

Interestingly, support was highest among those who’d actually worked in federal government.  

The researchers say it would cost taxpayers around $110.8 million a year in staffing and costs. But considering the general antipathy towards our nation’s ‘leaders’ and their transparency and decision-making, we’d say it’d be money well-spent. 

For one thing our Prime Ministers Avenue might just be able to keep up with the turnover. 

https://www.afr.com/politics/malcolm-turnbull-the-largest-political-donor-aec-disclosures-show-20180201-h0rn1l

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-16/nsw-premier-barry-ofarrell-to-resign-over-icac-grange-wine/5393478


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A special thanks to our contributors

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Caroline Egan

DCM Media, agedcare101

Caroline has a wealth of experience writing within the retirement and aged care sector and is a contributing journalist for the Villages.com.au and agedcare101 blog and accompanying newsletters.

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Ian Horswill

Journalist

Ian is a journalist, writer and sub-editor for the aged care sector, working at The DCM Group. He writes for The Weekly Source, agedcare101, villages.com.au and the DCM Institute fortnightly newsletter Friday. Ian is in daily contact with CEOs of retirement living, land lease and the aged care operations and makes a new contact every week. He investigates media releases, LinkedIn and Facebook for a good source for ideas for stories.

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Lauren Broomham

Retirement and Aged Care Journalist

Lauren is a journalist for villages.com.au, agedcare101 and The Donaldson Sisters. Growing up in a big family in small town communities, she has always had a love for the written word, joining her local library at the age of six months. With over eight years' experience in writing and editing, she is a keen follower of news and current affairs with a nose for a good story.

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Jill Donaldson

Physiotherapist

Jill has been practicing as a clinical physiotherapist for 30 years. For the last 13 years she has worked solely in the Aged Care sector in more than 50 metropolitan and regional facilities. Jill has also toured care facilities in the US and Africa and is a passionate advocate for both the residents in aged care and the staff who care for them. She researches and writes for DCM Media.

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Chris Baynes

DCM Media, agedcare101

Chris has been a journalist and publisher in the retirement village and aged care sectors for 11 years. He has visited over 250 retirement villages and 50 aged care facilities both within Australia and internationally. Chris is a regular speaker at industry conferences plus is a frequent radio commentator.

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Annie Donaldson

Nurse and Carer

Annie has a long career in both nursing and the media. She has planned and co-ordinated the medical support from both international TV productions and major stadium events. In recent years she has been a primary family carer plus involved in structured carer support.