Are politicians really less trust worthy than used car salespeople and real estate agents? That may be the popular cliché along with “Whoever you vote for a politician gets elected”, but is it true?

According to the Democracy Counts report released by the McKinnon Foundation it appears that more than half of people surveyed say they certainly do not feel represented or heard by their politicians. Apathy toward elected officials was high, with three in four people saying they thought politicians focused on short-term gains and re-election rather than long-term challenges, and felt MPs "mostly" served themselves or vested interests. About 51 per cent said they did not believe politicians understood or represented people like them. Among a plethora of other concerns respondents to the survey consistently identified were - truth in political advertising; the ‘revolving door’ of ex-politicians becoming lobbyists’; the public funding of attack ads against their political opponents.

Adding to the above report is an interview with Linda Reynolds on the 7.30 Report some time ago in which she described the shocking lack of support and undermining by colleges and the inaccurate, vicious, opportunist attacks against her from the then opposition Labour party. Ms Reynolds observed a distinct lack of respect for the institution of the parliament, and a lack of respect for individuals within it. Surely, if this is how they treat each other, what chance do we have?

My personal observation of all of this is that the bleeding from major political parties to grievance political parties is due entirely to the behaviour of politicians themselves. They have only themselves to blame.
The source for much of the above is from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-24/australians-truth-in-political-advertising-reform-one-nation/106487268

The McKinnon Foundation is an independent non-partisan group that promotes democracy, political leadership and increased public sector productivity. Mike Baird, formerly a Liberal NSW premier is its Chief executive.