The latest Mood of the Nation research suggests pessimism is becoming increasingly entrenched across the Australian community, with many Australians feeling under pressure and uncertain about the future.
A record 68% of Australians now believe the country is heading in the wrong direction, while six in 10 have felt more negative than positive feelings in recent weeks. This pessimism appears to be closely tied to ongoing financial pressures, with 44% reporting difficulty making ends meet – a two-year high – and cost of living remaining both the most prominent concern and top national priority.
The findings suggest these pressures may be contributing to a broader sense that the promise of a better future is becoming harder to attain. Almost half of Australians believe their standard of living is worse than their parents’ at a similar stage of life, with this sentiment particularly pronounced among younger Australians and renters.
This frustration is also evident in attitudes towards government policy. The Federal Budget has done little to improve confidence, with more Australians expecting a negative impact than a positive one. At the same time, support for traditional political parties remains fragile as voters continue searching for solutions to the issues shaping their daily lives. The debate around One Nation’s growing support reflects that uncertainty, with Australians almost evenly divided on whether its rise is a good thing or a bad thing for the country.
A record number of Australians now believe the country is heading in the wrong direction, with sentiment at or near historic lows. This broader unease is reflected in the national mood, with six in ten Australians feeling more negative than positive at present.
Australians are divided on whether One Nation’s growing support is a good thing or a bad thing for Australia, with positive attitudes extending beyond the party’s supporter base. The party’s perceived strengths in relation to cost of living is also growing, now sitting just one point behind Labor as the party Australians believe is best able to manage cost-of-living pressures.
Housing affordability remains among the nation’s most prominent concerns. However, while Australians are divided on whether falling house prices would be good or bad for them personally, a majority believe lower housing values would be good for Australia overall.
Contact us if you have any questions about the Mood of the Nation research report or if we can help you navigate community or stakeholder sentiment or expectations.
Peter Collingridge, Director, SEC Newgate Research – [email protected]
Angus Trigg, Managing Partner, SEC Newgate Australia – [email protected]
Kaila Murnain, Senior Adviser, SEC Newgate Australia – [email protected]
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