Three issues reveal Albanese government's record on trust and integrity

Anthony Albanese first came to office in an "integrity" election, beating Scott Morrison on the grounds of trust and making it his mission to restore trust in government. So how is that project going, three and a half years on?

The prime minister would not unreasonably point to his thumping re-election this year as a measure of success. He lifted Labor's primary vote a little and expanded its majority a lot. Clearly voters demonstrated trust in the Albanese government.

But the 2025 election also saw a record level of support for minor parties and independents, which has grown to 34 per cent, compared to just 4 per cent 50 years ago.

The steady trend away from the major parties continues. And despite holding a commanding position, Albanese knows the global phenomena of sliding trust in government isn't one to be taken lightly.

A mixed scorecard

"We all know this is a time when trust in governments and institutions is under challenge," Albanese himself noted when he addressed the British Labour Party conference in September. The room was full of Labour types deeply rattled by the rise and rise of Nigel Farage, just one of the populists preying on voter distrust in Western democracies.

Here in Australia, Labor has enjoyed a dream finish to the political year. It's been able to pass difficult reforms, holds a healthy lead in the opinion polls, and faces a demoralised opposition limping to Christmas.

This week, however, three issues have highlighted a mixed scorecard for the government on issues of trust, integrity and delivery.

First on the social media age limit, the government appears to be on a winner in delivering on a promised reform and addressing a problem many families have grappled with.

While children might not be thrilled at being kicked off their favourite platforms in six days, polls show parents are overwhelmingly on board.

The growing list of other countries following Australia's lead (the nightmare scenario feared by social media giants), demonstrates how popular this reform is proving to be.

A week out from the age ban taking effect, Communications Minister Anika Wells addressed the National Press Club yesterday to stare down tech companies who continue to mount arguments as to why this won't work.

The government has stuck to its guns despite pushback from well-resourced platforms, elements of the Trump administration, and now doubts from the opposition. Sussan Ley said yesterday she had "no confidence in this working" under Wells. That's despite her predecessor Peter Dutton being the first to suggest this move and the Coalition voting for it.

The minister acknowledges this is "not a cure" for all online harm, but a "treatment plan" that will help.

The social media age ban is a bold reform which should, if it works, deliver a deposit in the bank of trust in government.

Timid on gambling reform

On a second issue, gambling reform, the government risks withdrawing from that trust bank. It continues to demonstrate timidity, despite overwhelming public support for action.

More than two years since a cross-party committee, chaired by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy, recommended a ban on online betting ads, the government is yet to respond.

At the Press Club, Wells, who is also the Minister for Sport, faced a raft of questions about why this issue has gone nowhere.

"There will be further measures", was all the minister offered. She refused to give any hints as to her thinking on what might be an appropriate way to balance the community's concerns about gambling with the financial pressures on media companies who rely on the ads.

The issue will come to a head at the ALP's National Conference in July next year, where rank and file members and some Labor backbenchers will demand stronger action, if the government hasn't already taken steps by then.

Jobs for mates

The third issue to test the government's performance on trust and integrity this week was its response to the so-called "jobs for mates" report.

This review by the former head of the Australian Public Service Commission Lynelle Briggs was also delivered to the government more than two years ago. It sat on it until this week, after pressure from the Senate to act.

Titled "No Favourites", this was a scathing report. It took aim at both sides of politics, finding recent governments have too often rewarded friends with plum jobs. Board appointments have "looked like forms of patronage and nepotism that should have no place in the modern Australian society".

The level of direct ministerial appointments to government boards is "without parallel in other similar Westminster countries".

In response, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher announced a range of improvements aimed at ensuring merit-based selection processes and greater transparency but rejected key recommendations including a ban on direct ministerial appointments six months before an election and longer cooling off periods before ex-politicians and staff can be appointed to boards.

"Integrity in board appointments is one of the first gateways to integrity in the government," Briggs noted in the report.

Independent Senator David Pocock, for one, agrees and reckons Labor has failed this integrity test and an opportunity to rebuild trust, by not embracing all recommendations.

"Look at the major party primary vote and it's probably no surprise," he says, suggesting the steady practice of governments doling out favours to ex-pollies and staff is something independents and minor parties will continue to use to their advantage.

On this issue, Labor has at least made some improvements but has clearly failed to satisfy its critics, particularly those with an interest in further eroding major party support.

The Albanese government heads into the summer on a high, but the task of restoring general trust in government is far from finished.

David Speers is national political lead and host of Insiders, which airs on ABC TV at 9am on Sunday or on iview.