POLIS Index Australia for Party Leaders
Highlights by Gender
Ethical perceptions of Australian party leaders differ by gender, but Anthony Albanese is consistently rated as more ethically credible than Peter Dutton across all gender identities. Among women, Albanese receives his highest POLIS score at 3.25, while Dutton scores 1.97. This 1.28-point gap suggests that women perceive Albanese as more aligned with values such as fairness, transparency, and accountability.
Men also favour Albanese, though the gap is slightly narrower. Albanese scores 3.17, while Dutton receives 2.11. This indicates that male Australians view Albanese as more ethically trustworthy, particularly on dimensions like competence and institutional legitimacy. Dutton's lower score reflects ongoing challenges in building ethical credibility among male voters.
Respondents identifying as non-binary or with another gender identity assign Albanese a POLIS score of 3.08, while Dutton scores 1.89. Although this group is smaller in size, the pattern remains consistent: Albanese is perceived as more ethically credible across diverse gender identities.
Albanese’s consistent performance across all gender groups underscores his broad ethical appeal. The Coalition leader’s lower scores, particularly among women and non-binary individuals, highlight ongoing challenges in building trust and aligning with the ethical expectations of a diverse electorate.
Overall, the POLIS Index reveals that gender influences the intensity of ethical evaluations, but not their direction. Albanese maintains a clear ethical advantage across all gender identities, while Dutton faces significant trust deficits, especially among women and non-binary Australians. These findings emphasize the importance of inclusive and values-driven political engagement in fostering public trust.
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.