澳大利亚国立大学6月针对3500多人进行的民调显示，澳大利亚人之间的相互信任已跌至本十年来最低水平。[1]人际信任指数仅为5.32分（满分10分），低于2019年疫前的5.53分。[1]同一时期，澳大利亚统计局数据显示，认为他人可信的澳大利亚人比例从2020年的61%下降至2025年的50%。[1]
信任危机伴随着民众对民主制度满意度的下滑。[1]民众对民主运作的满意度从3月的65.7%下降到6月的63.8%，为2023年1月以来的最低点。[1]澳大利亚国立大学学院院长Nicholas Biddle表示，"人际信任已跌至ANUpoll在2020年代的最低值"。[1]
研究人员指出，关于多元文化和国家认同的政治言论可能是导致信任下降的重要因素。[1]心理学教授Michael Platow认为，"政治言论正在操纵'我们'的心理构建"。[1]信任水平在年长澳大利亚人、学位持有者和就业人群中相对较强。[1]此外，民主原则支持度从2025年5月的66.9%上升至2026年6月的72%，生活满意度在2026年3月至6月期间维持在6.22分。[1]
A poll conducted by the Australian National University in June surveyed more than 3,500 people and found that interpersonal trust among Australians has fallen to its lowest point in the 2020s, with a trust index of just 5.32 out of 10 [1]. This represents a decline from pre-pandemic levels recorded in October 2019, when the index stood at 5.53 [1]. According to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2025, only 50 percent of Australians believe others are trustworthy, down significantly from 61 percent in 2020 [1].
The erosion of trust coincides with declining satisfaction in democratic processes. Satisfaction with how democracy is functioning dropped from 65.7 percent in March to 63.8 percent in June, marking the lowest level since January 2023 [1]. However, support for democratic principles itself showed an uptick, rising from 66.9 percent in May 2025 to 72 percent in June 2026 [1].
Nicholas Biddle, director of the ANU college, described the findings as concerning, stating that "interpersonal trust has fallen to the lowest point in the 2020s measured by ANUpoll" [1]. Michael Platow, a psychology professor, attributed part of the problem to political discourse, noting that "political rhetoric is manipulating the psychological construction of 'us'" [1]. Trust remains strongest among older Australians, university degree holders, and employed people [1].