From AUKUS to AI: Why Australians Want More Say in How Their Country Is Run

Most Australians still believe in democracy, but they are losing faith in politicians and the political system. A new report says this growing frustration puts public trust at serious risk. The report, called the Purpose of Government Pulse, was published this month by a research group called the Centre for Policy Development. It found that a large majority of voters want ordinary people to have more say in how the country is run.

The report used data from surveys taken between October 2015 and February 2026. The results showed that people feel politicians put their own interests — and the interests of big companies — ahead of everyday citizens. One of the biggest findings was that most Australians believe services like healthcare, education, and childcare should be free or affordable for everyone. They also think the government, not private companies, should deliver these services.

The report showed that two-thirds of Australians have said for ten years straight that voters should have more power over the country's top priorities. Yet many people feel their voices are still not being heard. Former government minister Ed Husic warned that communities have no say over new data centres being built near their homes. He asked why these centres were built in working-class suburbs but not in wealthy ones.

A public inquiry into the AUKUS defence deal shows how frustrated many Australians feel. AUKUS is an agreement linking Australia's military closely with the US and UK for decades. It was not funded by the government — ordinary citizens and community groups paid for it instead. The inquiry found that the deal 'was conceived in secret and with deception,' and asked whether it could put Australia at risk.

The report also raised concerns about government contracts with a company called Palantir Technologies. The government spent $60 million on contracts with Palantir, which has close ties to the Trump administration and has faced human rights concerns. There was very little public debate about this spending. After public pressure, supermarket chain Coles said it would end its own contract with the company.

All of these issues are showing up in the way Australians vote. The two major parties are getting fewer votes, while smaller parties and independents are gaining more support. CPD chief executive Andrew Hudson said voters want to be heard and want their long-term interests to come first. The report warned that fixing this problem will take much more than small policy changes — it will take a whole new way of listening to people.