In a time when the fabric of our civic life faces unprecedented challenges, the Menzies Foundation remains committed in its ambition to empower communities and cultivate leadership that serves the greater good. In support of this exploration, we share this report, “The Civic Health of Australia: A National Portrait in 30 Charts.”
This report, powered by Menzies Foundation, and developed by the Australian Leadership Index at Swinburne University, underscores the urgency of addressing the decline in civic engagement, social cohesion, and volunteering across Australia. As we continue to work with our collaboration partners to strengthen the interconnected pillars of Community Narrative, Culture and Infrastructure, Capability, Governance and Capital, and Robust Democracy, this report provides a vital context for our ongoing efforts to support communities in reimagining their collective responsibilities and fostering a more engaged, resilient citizenry.
In recent years, as chronicled in countless news stories and reports into trust, integrity and accountability, leaders and institutions in general, and political leaders and institutions in particular, have become seen as self-serving, putting self and vested interests ahead of the wider public interest. There is now a deep and pervasive sense among Australian citizens that they are not well served by their social institutions or those who lead them.
Public trust in and satisfaction with Australia’s institutions of government, including democracy itself, has declined sharply, with trust and satisfaction lowest among those who do not believe that our political system allows them to influence government decision-making and policy making.
Furthermore, social cohesion in Australia is declining. Many Australians say that has gotten to the point where we are incapable of having constructive and civil debates about the issues on which we disagree.
There is no shortage of information about these social trends. We see it reported in daily news stories, public opinion polls, annual research reports and assorted inquiries. However, this deluge of information can be difficult to integrate into useful knowledge, let alone a deep, integrated understanding about the state we’re in and what do about it.
In this rapid review of publicly available reports, drawing on a wide range of reports from a variety of Australian and international research teams, we take a helicopter view of the state of civic health in Australia. Specifically, in a curated selection of charts that relate to vital aspects of the civic health of a community, we present a general picture of the state of civic health of Australia.
We hope that this snapshot of the state of Australia’s civic health will help our readers find their bearings in an otherwise confusing sea of information. More importantly, we hope it will help our readers, as citizens and leaders, understand how they contribute to the regeneration of a thriving civic life.
🎙️Menzies Leadership Forum – New podcast episode available
Meaningful change requires both institutional reforms and individual actions. In our latest episode, Liz Gillies, CEO, Menzies Foundation, and Associate Professor Sam Wilson take a deep dive into Australia’s civic health and leadership. This insightful discussion centres on the findings from the newly launched report, The Civic Health of Australia: A National Portrait in 30 Charts, powered by the Menzies Foundation and developed by Associate Professor Sam Wilson and the Australian Leadership Index at Swinburne University.
The report paints a concerning picture of Australia’s civic health, revealing declines across three crucial dimensions: civic awareness and engagement, belonging and connecting in the community, and volunteering and giving.
Liz and Sam explore these findings in depth, offering a compelling analysis of the challenges in measuring leadership for the ‘greater good’, the alarming trends of distrust and polarisation, and the vital role each of us plays in fostering a healthier civic environment. Whether you’re passionate about leadership, civic engagement, or simply curious about the future of our democracy, this episode is a must-listen.
Tune in now to explore these critical insights and join the conversation on how we can build stronger, more resilient communities together!
