If the Australian Government is suffering a credibility crisis with voters in the wake of the global financial upheaval, it is not alone with new research released by public relations house Edelman saying people throughout the world are blaming their governments.
The research – part of Edelman's annual Trust Barometer – found that throughout the world, people blamed their governments (more than any other institution) for the financial and political crisis they endured in 2011.
Where Australia is concerned, the research revealed only one third (33 per cent) of the general population trust the institution of government to do what is right.
It said that a huge gap had opened up between what people see as important and how well they think important tasks are being handled.
"While 71 per cent of Australians say it is important that the country's financial affairs are managed effectively, only 18 per cent think this is happening – an 'underperformance gap' of 53 points," the Edelman analysis said.
"There is a complete misalignment between the public's expectations of government and what they think is actually being delivered," according to Edelman Australia chief executive, Michelle Hutton.
"Sixty per cent of Australians do not trust government leaders to tell the truth, and the majority (58 per cent) thinks the country is on the wrong track," she said.
The research found that business – while more trusted than government – still has some hurdles to clear.
