POLIS Index Australia for Party Leaders
Highlights by Religion
Ethical perceptions of party leaders in Australia differ by religious affiliation, but Anthony Albanese is consistently rated as more ethically credible than Peter Dutton across all groups. Among atheists, Albanese receives the highest POLIS score at 3.28, while Dutton scores just 1.88. This significant 1.39-point gap indicates that atheists view Albanese as far more aligned with values such as fairness, transparency, and accountability.
Agnostic Australians show a similarly strong preference, giving Albanese a POLIS score of 3.21 and Dutton 1.93. The gap here—1.28 points—reinforces the broader trend: non-religious Australians clearly favour Albanese on ethical grounds. His consistently higher scores suggest that secular voters perceive him as more in tune with democratic values and public integrity.
Religious Australians also prefer Albanese, though the difference is somewhat smaller. Albanese receives a POLIS score of 3.06, while Dutton scores 2.40. This is Dutton’s highest rating among all religious groups, suggesting that religious respondents are comparatively more receptive to his leadership. However, the gap of 0.66 points still reflects a notable trust advantage for Albanese.
Among respondents who selected “Other” for their religious identity, Albanese scores 2.77 and Dutton 2.13. While both leaders receive lower scores in this group overall, the pattern remains the same—Albanese is perceived as more ethically credible. These lower scores may reflect a broader skepticism among respondents who do not fit neatly into traditional or secular categories.
Overall, the POLIS Index shows that Australians of all religious backgrounds view Anthony Albanese as the more ethically trustworthy leader. While Peter Dutton performs relatively better among religious respondents, he trails Albanese in every group. These findings suggest that Albanese’s leadership is broadly perceived as values-driven and institutionally sound, while Dutton continues to face challenges in building ethical trust across diverse belief systems.
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.