Abstract

How do major national events—such as elections, geopolitical shifts, and natural disasters— shape public trust in democratic institutions? This paper draws on data from the 2025 Election Monitoring Survey Series (EMSS), a four-wave longitudinal survey conducted between October 2024 and May 2025, to explore key patterns of trust and satisfaction across different
organisations and levels of Australia’s democratic institutions following the 2025 federal election.

The analysis finds a post-election “democracy bounce,” with satisfaction in democracy rising to 73.3 per cent and higher trust in political institutions, particularly the federal government and Parliament. Most Australians viewed the election process as fair and well-run, reinforcing public confidence. However, they also reported concerns about data misuse and media bias. Reported levels of trust varied across demographic groups, with younger Australians, people without Year 12 qualifications, and those experiencing financial stress reporting lower confidence in institutional performance and representativeness.

While most Australians reported feeling that the new Parliament could represent “people like me,” this sentiment was less widespread among voters with lower education and income levels. The finding that “rich voters” were seen as the best represented group raises further questions about perceived equity in political representation. 

The findings highlight both strengths and enduring risks in Australia’s democracy. While elections can boost short-term trust, long-term resilience will depend on addressing underlying disparities in institutional confidence, civic inclusion, and perceived fairness. This research paper offers insights for policymakers seeking to build public trust and monitors changing factors. Addressing disparities in perceived representativeness and institutional trust will be critical to maintaining democratic resilience in the years ahead.