Trust in pollies waning

TASMANIANS have grave concerns about government corruption and are almost twice as likely to cite concerns about a lack of honesty, transparency and accountability in politics than other Australians, a new study has found.

The Griffith University and Transparency International Australia Global Corruption Barometer says trust in government has fallen nationwide.

The survey of more than 2200 Australians revealed strong support for a national anti-corruption body and found that 51 per cent of respondents had either no trust or little trust in government.

In the survey 31 per cent of Tasmanians cited honesty, transparency and accountability in politics as the type of corruption that was the main problem in government. That figure was 16.8 per cent for the nation as a whole.

The survey also found 52 per cent of Tasmanian respondents were distrustful of the Federal Government’s ability to carry out its responsibilities, 48 per cent were distrustful of the State Government and 41 per cent were distrustful of local councils.

Most Tasmanians believe some people use personal or political connections to access public services or flout the law with impunity and three in four believe some people used money to have greater influence over government decisions.

And Tasmanians were more likely than other Austra- lians to suspect an official or politician using their position for self-interest.

Among other findings: 89 PER CENT of Tasmanians surveyed believed some, most or all federal politicians are corrupt, compared to 85 per cent of respondents nationally. 81 PER CENT of Tasmanian respondents believed some, most or all members of State Parliament were corrupt, compared with a national figure of 84 per cent. 71 PER CENT of Tasmanians believed some, most or all local government councillors were involved in corruption, compared with a national figure of 73 per cent.

The chief executive of Transparency International Australia Serena Lillywhite said the results showed the perception that individuals could benefit from corruption was real.

“This snapshot also shows the case for a strong, comprehensive federal anti-corruption agency is well understood by those within government, not just based on the fears of outsiders,” she said. “Improved transparency and strengthened oversight of government decision making, including the regulation of lobbyists, are also long overdue.”

Tasmanian Integrity Commission chief executive Richard Bingham said the survey revealed strong support among Tasmanians for a federal anti-corruption body.

“This is unsurprising as Tasmanians have consistently been strong supporters at a state level of the role of the Integrity Commission,” he said.