The annual study of over 10,000 citizens found Australia's social cohesion index held at 78 out of 100, sustained largely by high neighborhood trust, volunteering, and support for multiculturalism. Beneath this steady baseline, 62% of adults feel national cohesion has deteriorated, led by acute worries over the cost of living and housing availability. Severe financial strain now impacts daily necessities, leaving about 20% of Australians unable to afford required heating, cooling, medicine, or healthcare.
Key points
Severe cost of living pressures are forcing significant numbers of citizens to sacrifice…: Severe cost of living pressures are forcing significant numbers of citizens to sacrifice essential healthcare, utilities, and daily meals.
Widespread national pessimism and declining trust in government are driving some economic…: Widespread national pessimism and declining trust in government are driving some economically struggling voters to support One Nation.
Strong neighborhood connections, active volunteering, and enduring support for multicultu…: Strong neighborhood connections, active volunteering, and enduring support for multiculturalism continue to provide vital community resilience.
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The vast majority of Australians support immigration and multiculturalism despite more feeling poorer – and increasingly pessimistic and distrustful of government, the annual Scanlon report on social cohesion has revealed.
People are more worried about artificial intelligence than climate change or going to war, but a global economic downturn and cost-of-living pressures are Australians’ key concerns.
Economic pain is also changing the way people vote, with people suffering hardship jumping ship to One Nation, according to the report, which is one of the country’s most extensive social research projects.
But, despite rising concern about antisemitism and Islamophobia, social cohesion in Australia has actually remained steady. The lead author of the report concedes many findings are cause for concern, but notes support for multiculturalism and diversity remains high, as does the sense of connection Australians feel to their communities.
“People are clearly under pressure with economic pressures, there’s discontent and distrust, people are blaming immigration … but we don’t necessarily see a permanence to that,” said Dr James O’Donnell from the Australian National University.
Democrat James Talarico secured a historic double-digit victory over Republican Ken Paxton, ending a decades-long Democratic losing streak in statewide Senate races. The sweeping midterm shift also unseated incumbent Governor Greg Abbott in the state's most expensive political cycle to date. Voters largely rejected aggressive outside spending and culture-war messaging in favor of grassroots-funded campaigns.
Prime Minister Péter Magyar fulfilled a major election pledge by launching an online database exposing tens of thousands of state surveillance agents. The symbolic rollout challenges decades of political resistance from past administrations that kept the archives classified and vulnerable to selective leaks. Officials hope the disclosures will finally bring closure to the public, even as critics warn that the incomplete records risk unfairly targeting affected families.
The veteran NCP (SP) leader was readmitted for tests following an initial observation period prompted by pleuritic chest discomfort. Family members confirmed the admission while reassuring the public that his health parameters had previously remained stable. The medical development prompted high-level political outreach, including personal calls advising the veteran politician to step back from duties to rest.