POLIS Index Australia for Party Leaders
Highlights by Citizenship
Australians’ perceptions of party leaders differ by citizenship status, but Anthony Albanese consistently holds a substantial ethical advantage over Peter Dutton in both groups. Among citizens, Albanese receives a POLIS score of 3.19, while Dutton scores just 2.01. This wide gap suggests that citizens view Albanese as more aligned with values such as fairness, competence, and institutional legitimacy.
Among non-citizens, the ranking remains the same, but the scores narrow slightly. Albanese receives a POLIS score of 3.02, while Dutton improves to 2.32. While both leaders receive slightly lower or higher evaluations from this group, the gap still clearly favours Albanese, who maintains his ethical credibility across diverse citizenship statuses.
The improvement in Dutton’s score among non-citizens may suggest that his appeal is stronger among those less politically enfranchised—perhaps due to perceptions of decisiveness or strength. However, even in this context, he lags behind Albanese by 0.70 points, indicating a persistent trust gap across all respondents.
Albanese’s consistent lead across both citizens and non-citizens underscores his broad ethical appeal. He is viewed as a leader who embodies core values of transparency, procedural fairness, and benevolence. Dutton’s lower scores, particularly among citizens, reflect a deeper skepticism about his ethical alignment with the responsibilities of democratic leadership.
Overall, the POLIS Index shows that Australians—whether citizens or not—perceive Anthony Albanese as the more ethically trustworthy leader. While Dutton improves modestly among non-citizens, he remains behind across the board, pointing to a significant reputational gap in values-based leadership perception.
What values do people in democratic nations want their political parties to imbue and represent?
Integrity
Integrity means acting consistently with one’s principles and telling the truth, even when it's inconvenient. In a democracy, people expect their political representatives to follow through on promises and live up to the values they claim to hold. Without integrity, public trust quickly erodes.
Benevolence
Benevolence reflects care, compassion, and a commitment to serving the public rather than personal or partisan interests. Citizens expect those in power to act in the best interest of society, especially for vulnerable or underserved groups. When benevolence is lacking, politics can feel distant and self-serving.
Accountability
Accountability means being answerable for decisions and willing to admit mistakes. Democratic systems rely on the idea that leaders serve the people and must face consequences if they fall short. When accountability is strong, citizens feel empowered to demand better.
Legitimacy
Legitimacy is the belief that those in power deserve their authority and represent the people fairly. It’s not just about winning elections — it’s about earning public trust through ethical, democratic leadership. Without legitimacy, political systems struggle to function effectively or peacefully.
Competence
Competence is the ability to get things done — to design effective policies, manage resources, and solve problems. In democratic societies, voters want leaders who can deliver real results and meet the needs of diverse communities. Good intentions matter, but capable execution is essential.
Transparency
Transparency is about openness — making decisions visible, explaining them clearly, and sharing information honestly. In a democracy, people have a right to know how decisions are made and why. Transparency builds public confidence and helps prevent corruption or manipulation.
Procedural Fairness
Procedural fairness ensures that rules are applied equally, decisions are made impartially, and everyone is treated with respect. In a diverse democracy, fairness is the foundation of legitimacy — it reassures people that the system is not biased or rigged. Fair processes create faith in just outcomes.