POLIS Index Australia for Party Leaders
Highlights by Socioeconomic Status
Ethical perceptions of party leaders in Australia vary slightly across socioeconomic status (SES) groups, but Anthony Albanese is consistently seen as more ethically credible than Peter Dutton across all SES levels. Among lower-class respondents, Albanese receives a POLIS score of 3.03, compared to just 1.92 for Dutton. This 1.11-point gap reflects a strong trust advantage for Albanese among economically vulnerable Australians, particularly on values like fairness, benevolence, and transparency.
Among middle-class Australians, both leaders receive slightly higher evaluations, but the overall pattern remains unchanged. Albanese scores 3.22, while Dutton earns 2.06. The narrowed gap suggests that middle-class respondents are slightly more balanced in their ethical assessments, though they still clearly favour Albanese on key dimensions such as institutional trust and accountability.
Upper-class respondents give Albanese his highest score of any SES group at 3.25, while Dutton also earns his highest at 2.14. These results suggest that while both leaders are rated most favourably by upper-class Australians, the ethical perception gap still persists—Albanese remains over one full point ahead. This consistent lead reflects broader public confidence in his values-driven leadership across income brackets.
Dutton’s modest improvement in higher SES groups may reflect perceptions of competence or economic policy alignment, but these gains are not enough to close the trust gap. Across all three SES levels, his POLIS scores remain below 2.15, suggesting persistent concerns about ethical alignment with democratic expectations.
Overall, the POLIS Index shows that Australians across the socioeconomic spectrum view Albanese as more ethically aligned than Dutton. While the intensity of this perception varies slightly with SES, the direction does not—Albanese leads in ethical credibility across all economic classes, reinforcing a stable and cross-cutting trust advantage.
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.