Purpose of Government Pulse: Australian attitudes to democratic purpose, priorities and performance

The inaugural 2024 Purpose of Government Pulse, conducted by the Centre for Policy Development through eight rounds of polling from 2015 to December 2023, explores Australian attitudes towards government, democracy, and public capability. Key findings reveal a steadfast belief in fair and equal treatment among Australians as the key purpose of democracy, despite significant societal changes over the period surveyed. However, the public’s view on the government’s role is dynamic, with a recent increase in Australians prioritising “ensuring a decent standard of living” as its primary role, surpassing earlier leading responses associated with wellbeing and critical service delivery. The research indicates a growing expectation that government decisions should prioritise citizen wellbeing, a sentiment that has risen from 70% in 2021 to 80% in 2023. There is also a strong preference for direct government involvement in public service delivery. Since 2015, surveys have consistently shown high support (never below 77% and peaking at 90% in 2022) for government capability in service provision over outsourcing to charities or the private sector. This reflects a desire for active and effective government presence in everyday life.