BOND LAW RADIO: Dr Jacob Deem - 'Political Trust and the 2025 Federal Election'.

Trust in politicians, or lack thereof, promises to be a defining feature of the upcoming federal election. Political leaders - Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton - sit at the centre of voters' evaluations ahead of the 3 May ballot, as does faith in the Electoral Commission and the political system as a whole. But while it is widely accepted that trust is a vital part of the democratic process, the exact drivers of perceived dis/trust are the subject of significant debate. This seminar presents new survey data from over 6000 Australians collected in March-April 2025 as part of the Australian Constitutional Values Survey series. Using the upcoming election as a frame, the seminar compares the perceived trustworthiness of the Prime Minister, Opposition Leader and other key political figures, highlighting how different characteristics or traits emerge as important drivers of trust when applied to different actors. Reflecting on the role of trust in Australia's democratic system, the seminar outlines key lessons for trust research ahead of the election and beyond.Dr Jacob Deem is an Assistant Professor at Bond University’s Faculty of Law. His research focuses on public law, especiallyconstitutional law, federalism and public trust.