Lyla Lindsey
There have been several instances of the Australian government facing criticism for its actions. Surveys have indicated declining trust in the Australian government over the years, with some Australians believing that the government has been incompetent and negligent in its decision-making. The COVID-19 pandemic brought out both the best and worst in the Australian government, with some Australians feeling abandoned and threatened with prison if they tried to return home during the crisis. Additionally, there have been accusations of causing a housing crisis and mismanaging funds.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lack of political engagement | Australia is the least politically engaged country |
| Poor leadership | Lack of leadership with experts in their respective fields |
| Poor decision-making | Foreseeable stuff-ups |
| Poor infrastructure | Poor infrastructure compared to China and Japan |
| Lack of trust | Declining trust in the government |
| Negligence | Negligent and callous concerning some minorities |
| Poor response to the pandemic | Australians stuck overseas felt abandoned |
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What You'll Learn
Poor leadership and lack of political engagement
Australians have expressed their dissatisfaction with the country's political parties' ability to produce capable leaders and stable governments. According to an Ipsos survey on political leadership in Australia, 53% of voters believe that political parties are ineffective at providing competent politicians to govern the country, while only 17% think they are good at it. The same survey reveals that 57% of Australians believe that political parties are poor at providing stable governance, with just 17% expressing a positive opinion.
The public's disillusionment with the federal government stems from a perceived lack of transparency, accountability, and ethics in decision-making. There is a growing sentiment that politicians are out of touch with the people they serve, prioritizing short-term gains and political point-scoring over the greater good. This is reflected in their failure to address pressing issues such as the cost of living, wage stagnation, and inadequate climate action.
Furthermore, there is a widespread perception that political parties in Australia are ineffective at creating policy ideas that serve the country's long-term interests. This is evidenced by the frequent removal of Prime Ministers before the end of their term, indicating a lack of stability and coherence in the country's leadership. Australians desire leaders who demonstrate empathy, integrity, and a commitment to serving the public interest rather than engaging in opportunistic blame-shifting.
The disenchantment with political leadership in Australia has led to a decline in trust in democratic institutions. Citizens suspect that decisions are made to serve special interests rather than the common good, resulting in reduced civic engagement and increased polarization. To address this crisis of confidence, the New Democratic Audit of Australia has called for democratic reinvention, emphasizing improved governance and responsiveness to citizen needs to restore public trust.
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Mismanagement of the economy and resources
Australia has been facing record economic mismanagement, with a recent report to Parliament on the state of the economy by Coalition ministers being criticised as contradictory and hypocritical. This claim is supported by various indicators, including Australia's low ranking in terms of GDP growth among developed countries. Australia's economic growth of 3.85% placed it 30th out of 38 developed countries, far from the top rankings it achieved during the recovery from the global financial crisis under Labor.
The mid-year economic and fiscal outlook 2021-22 (MYEFO) report projects strong economic expansion, with a forecasted unemployment rate of 4.25% by the June quarter of 2023. However, critics argue that this growth is not translating into debt reduction, and the Coalition has been accused of leaving future generations burdened with debt. The Abbott Government, in particular, has been criticised for increasing gross debt, which stood at a modest 16.8% of GDP under Labor.
The Australian economy has been characterised by booming growth, high productivity, abundant jobs, rising wages, and robust company profits, particularly in the export of natural resources. However, this has not resulted in a corresponding increase in government revenue, indicating potential mismanagement of resources and a failure to capitalise on favourable economic conditions.
Furthermore, there are concerns about the sustainability of Australia's economic practices, with calls to move away from exploiting finite resources for economic gain. The focus on exporting natural resources, such as iron ore, gas, coal, and beef, has led to accusations of neglecting the environment and contributing to climate change. This single-minded pursuit of economic growth has resulted in a disregard for the planet's finite resources and the potential long-term consequences of their exploitation.
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Negligence and callousness towards minorities
Racism against various ethnic or minority groups has been prevalent in Australia since British colonisation. Throughout history, Indigenous Australians have faced severe restrictions on their political, social, and economic freedoms, and have suffered genocide, forced removals, and massacres. They continue to face discrimination and are disproportionately socioeconomically disadvantaged, with shorter life spans, and make up a disproportionately high number of imprisoned persons.
In addition to the Indigenous population, European, African, Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, and Latin American Australians have also been victims of discrimination. Jews, Italians, and the Irish, in particular, have often been subjected to xenophobic exclusion and other forms of religious and ethnic discrimination. Racism has manifested in various ways, including segregation, racist immigration and naturalisation laws, and internment camps.
Despite being a founding member of the United Nations and assisting in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Australia is the only democratic country without a national bill of rights. The Australian Constitution does, however, provide implied freedom of political communication on government and political matters, and certain protections against discrimination are guaranteed by law. The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), a national independent statutory body, is responsible for investigating alleged infringements under Australia's anti-discrimination legislation.
Despite these measures, the Australian government has been accused of negligence and failing to comply with United Nations human rights standards. For example, the age for criminal responsibility in Australia is 10 years, which is well below the international standard of 14 years. This has led to issues of child detention, particularly affecting Indigenous children, who make up nearly 63% of those in detention in Queensland, despite being only 4.6% of the state's population.
Furthermore, politicians like Senator Pauline Hanson have made racist remarks, such as claiming that Australia was in danger of being "swamped by Asians" and that Africans bring disease into the country. She has also opposed the inclusion of Indigenous issues in the national curriculum and attempted to reject critical race theory.
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Housing crisis and high taxation
Australia's housing crisis has been 25 years in the making, with house prices rising at twice the rate of disposable income. The number of people without long-term housing has risen by 25% since 2019, and the situation is only getting worse. The Australian government has been accused of merely paying lip service to the issue, with federal and state governments failing to take effective action to address the crisis.
In 1999, the Howard government halved capital gains tax, which made housing an investment asset. This, along with six interest rate cuts in 2001 and increased immigration, supercharged housing demand. The government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which included income support for the poorest citizens, provided some relief by ensuring that people could afford housing. However, this was a temporary solution, and the underlying issues remain unresolved.
The Australian government has also set aspirational targets for new homes, offering a $3 billion "New Home Bonus" scheme. However, these targets have largely fallen short, with approvals falling short of the required rate. The National Housing Accord, launched by the federal and state governments, acknowledged the acute housing pressures faced by Australians. Still, it has been criticized for a lack of commitment from all parties involved.
Australia's tax system has been described as highly progressive, supporting fairness. However, some argue that high effective tax rates can reduce participation incentives for certain groups. The government has proposed Stage 3 tax cuts, which are expected to come into effect in 2024, primarily benefiting high-income earners. Critics argue that these tax cuts will increase inequality and fail to stimulate the economy effectively. Australia's federal tax-to-GDP ratio is lower than that of other developed countries, and increasing taxation could potentially boost economic growth.
While the Australian government has taken some steps to address the housing crisis and high taxation issues, there are concerns about the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of these measures.
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Low trust in government
Trust in the Australian government has reached a record low, with only one in four Australians expressing confidence in their political leaders and institutions, according to a 2019 study by the Australian National University (ANU). The study also found that just 59% of Australians are satisfied with how democracy is functioning, a significant drop from the 86% recorded in 2007. This decline in trust is not unique to the government, as Australians' trust in the media, business, and even Australian brands has also decreased.
The lead researcher of the ANU study, Professor Ian McAllister, attributed the decline in trust to "widespread public concern about how our democracy is underperforming." McAllister further emphasized that regaining the public's trust is among the most urgent challenges faced by political leaders, as faith in democracy is waning globally. The study's findings align with the 2018 Edelman Trust Barometer, which showed a decline in trust across all four institution types measured, placing Australia in the bottom third of surveyed countries.
Several factors have contributed to the low trust in the Australian government. One of the most significant factors is the perception that the government is not effectively addressing pressing issues. For example, the government has faced criticism for its handling of energy supply, citizenship, and the banking royal commission. Additionally, infighting across the political spectrum has likely played a role in eroding trust. The public's perception of the government being run for "a few big interests" rather than for "all the people" further exacerbates the issue.
The decline in trust has had tangible impacts on policy preferences. Support for Australia becoming a republic has reached its lowest level, with only 49% of Australians in favor. Additionally, the election of Donald Trump in the United States in 2016 has made Australians less trusting of the US as an ally. On a more positive note, the Australian government has made some decisions that have been well-received by the public. For example, the government successfully repealed the medevac law, and Scott Morrison remains a relatively popular political figure, enjoying a two-point lift in his personal satisfaction rating to 45%.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, some people believe that the Australian government has been incompetent. Some Australians believe that their government has not been able to turn Australia into a global superpower, despite its natural resources and cities.
There have been some scandals involving the Australian government. One notable example is the Howard government, which was the highest taxing government in 50 years but only barely made a surplus. It was alleged that this money went to Liberal party donors instead of benefitting Australia.
No, the Australian government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic has not been perfect. While support for the federal government's pandemic response was high, at 85% according to the Scanlon Foundation’s 2021 research, there were still some Australians who felt abandoned and struggled to return to the country.
Yes, trust in the Australian government has improved in recent years. On the 2021 Edelman Trust Barometer, trust in Australia rose from 47% to 59% in 2020, the greatest increase in trust in any country measured.
One reason for dissatisfaction with the government could be the lack of political engagement among Australians. Australia's single-member electoral system also contributes to a duopoly in politics, which may limit the options available to voters.
