Collectively, Australians are becoming more and more distrustful of their government and state police forces. This sense of urgency has only deepened with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic exposed serious cracks in public trust. In turn, more and more citizens lost faith in the very institutions that are meant to protect and serve them. This changing perception is being reflected by people of all backgrounds, showing how different lived experiences influence views of authority.
New South Wales resident Stephen Spencer spoke about his deep frustration with government inaction over the course of the pandemic. He felt that the government’s lack of transparency and effective communication left many citizens, including himself, without the necessary support. “It was so difficult to get any information outside of an automated response or something posted on social media,” he lamented. “To actually get any information, clarity, or even just words of support from anyone in government was nearly impossible.”
Spencer’s disillusionment stems from what he describes as an “intergenerational handing down of caution.” This approach was compounded by the pandemic, which in his view accelerated the trust decay. His wish for more transparency isn’t just noble — it is a reality that most Australians need to see from their leaders right now.
Eric Gibson, a Whadjuk Noongar and Meriam Magaram man from Western Australia, provides another perspective on the mistrust towards authorities. Gibson had grown up aware that his great-grandfather became a victim of police abuse in custody. This painful legacy has understandably made them, like many other families and communities, wary of law enforcement. He said that historical trauma plays a huge role in the feelings of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
“I usually see these people who I deal with during work and during crisis while I’m at the shops or while I’m taking my dog for a walk,” Gibson explained, highlighting the interconnectedness of community and authority figures. His experiences show the power of personal interactions to either create or erode trust.
In the same year, an OECD survey found that 68% of Australians have confidence in the police. This number represents a significant shift and thus underscores the deep divides within the community. As Professor Andrea Carson has suggested, the pandemic was the decisive moment in undermining trust in government. Distrust is what I would say is where they’ve closed the door and they’re not going to trust at all,” she said. She noted that fear and mistrust seem to permeate much of what people are feeling. They remain receptive to rhetorical wiggle room that would allow them to bring them back.
Khushaal Vyas, a young person and activist living in western Sydney, called out some of the local governments’ moves to crack down during the pandemic. He focused on the consequences that the retreat of cultural diversity in Australian media has had on fostering greater distrust between communities. In 2022, Australia’s non-European population was at least 19 times greater than the representation on commercial networks’ news and current affairs television programs, where only 1.3% of on-air talent came from non-European backgrounds.
So why not make better stories?” Vyas asked. He fought hard to expand the often narrow narratives found in mainstream coverage, particularly in stories involving communities of color.
The emerging crossroads of lived experience and bureaucratic response is key to unearthing this increasing disillusionment. While Spencer’s frustration with government communications was misplaced, he was not alone in wanting government accountability. “I know we can’t see all of it as a general public, but I think we should certainly see more of it … particularly in times of crisis like COVID where it radically affects your day-to-day existence,” he asserted.
Gibson sees authenticity as key to rebuilding communities’ trust, and therefore community policing’s success. He takes notes on tiny little details about the people he meets. This practice builds more meaningful relationships grounded in mutual understanding and cultural respect.
You’d be amazed at how forgiving people are when you come to them on their turf and on their terms, too,” Vyas continued. He stressed that sincere engagement can build trust and understanding between government leaders and the communities they serve.
Carson underscored the need to acknowledge missteps and describe how decisions were made as necessary first steps in regaining public trust. Owens-Tripplett said owning up when things went wrong—or at a minimum, walking the public through the steps leading up to decisions made—can go a long way in building public trust.
As Australians navigate these turbulent times, it becomes evident that repairing relationships with institutions requires sincerity and effort from both sides. This continuing conversation about trust highlights the need and long-term benefits of building transparency and mutual understanding into our governmental and police practices.
