Highlights by Employment Status

Across all employment groups in Australia, the Labor Party is consistently perceived as more ethically aligned than the Coalition. Among full-time employed respondents, Labor receives a POLIS score of 3.13, while the Coalition scores 2.27. This indicates that working Australians associate Labor with values like fairness, transparency, and legitimacy more than they do the Coalition. These results mirror broader national trends where Labor is seen as holding a stronger ethical position.

Part-time workers give Labor its highest rating across all employment groups, with a POLIS score of 3.23, while the Coalition receives 2.27—almost identical to its score from full-time workers. The strong rating for Labor suggests that those in less secure or flexible employment view the party as more morally trustworthy, especially on dimensions like accountability and procedural fairness. The Coalition’s stagnant score, by contrast, signals persistent concerns across both full- and part-time working Australians.

Among self-employed respondents, both parties receive their lowest relative scores—Labor at 2.86 and the Coalition at 2.24. Although Labor still leads, the narrower margin suggests that neither party is strongly resonating on ethical values with this group. This may reflect perceptions that neither party is effectively addressing the distinct concerns of entrepreneurial or independent workers. Still, Labor’s lead remains intact, continuing the consistent trend across employment categories.

Unemployed Australians express the greatest skepticism toward both parties, but especially toward the Coalition. Labor receives a POLIS score of 2.77, while the Coalition scores just 1.95—its lowest across all groups. The larger gap here underscores that economically vulnerable Australians perceive a significant difference in ethical credibility between the parties, with Labor seen as more trustworthy and equitable. The Coalition’s low score likely reflects perceived shortcomings in fairness, benevolence, or social accountability.

Overall, employment status influences the intensity—but not the direction—of ethical judgments. In every group, Labor is seen as more ethically aligned than the Coalition. While scores vary in strength, the direction of the gap remains constant, reinforcing the narrative that Labor is more trusted to embody the values Australians expect in democratic governance. The POLIS Index highlights how employment identity shapes political evaluations and reveals a consistent trust gap the Coalition has yet to close.