Albanese Government’s Credibility Crisis

Key Takeaways:

• The Albanese government has made progress in restoring trust in government, but still faces challenges in addressing issues such as gambling reform and "jobs for mates" scandal.
• The government’s social media age ban has been well-received by parents and is seen as a bold reform to address online harm.
• The steady trend away from major parties continues, with a record 34% of voters supporting minor parties and independents in the 2025 election.
• The government’s response to the "jobs for mates" report has been criticized for not going far enough in addressing issues of integrity and merit-based selection processes.
• The government’s timidity on gambling reform has been criticized, despite overwhelming public support for action.

Introduction to the Challenge of Restoring Trust
Anthony Albanese came to office with a promise to restore trust in government, and three-and-a-half years on, the progress is mixed. While the government has enjoyed a successful year, with a thumping re-election and the passage of difficult reforms, the challenge of restoring trust in government is far from over. The prime minister is aware that the global phenomenon of sliding trust in government is not to be taken lightly, and the trend away from major parties continues, with a record 34% of voters supporting minor parties and independents in the 2025 election.

A Mixed Scorecard
The government’s performance on issues of trust, integrity, and delivery has been highlighted by three recent issues: the social media age ban, gambling reform, and the "jobs for mates" scandal. On the social media age ban, the government has stuck to its guns despite pushback from tech companies and the opposition, and the reform is seen as a bold move to address online harm. However, on gambling reform, the government has demonstrated timidity, despite overwhelming public support for action, and has yet to respond to a cross-party committee’s recommendations. The "jobs for mates" report has also highlighted the government’s failure to address issues of integrity and merit-based selection processes in board appointments.

The Social Media Age Ban: A Bold Reform
The social media age ban is a significant reform that has been well-received by parents and is seen as a bold move to address online harm. The government has stuck to its guns despite pushback from tech companies and the opposition, and the reform is expected to deliver a deposit in the bank of trust in government. The minister responsible, Anika Wells, has acknowledged that the ban is not a cure for all online harm, but a treatment plan that will help. The growing list of countries following Australia’s lead on this issue demonstrates the popularity of the reform.

Timidity on Gambling Reform
In contrast, the government’s response to gambling reform has been criticized for being timid. Despite overwhelming public support for action, the government has yet to respond to a cross-party committee’s recommendations, and the issue is likely to come to a head at the ALP’s National Conference next year. The minister responsible, Anika Wells, has refused to give any hints as to her thinking on the issue, and the government’s lack of action has been criticized by Labor MPs and independents.

The "Jobs for Mates" Scandal
The "jobs for mates" report has highlighted the government’s failure to address issues of integrity and merit-based selection processes in board appointments. The report, which was delivered to the government over two years ago, found that recent governments have too often rewarded friends with plumb jobs, and that board appointments have "looked like forms of patronage and nepotism that should have no place in the modern Australian society." The government’s response to the report has been criticized for not going far enough, and independent Senator David Pocock has reckoned that Labor has failed this integrity test.

Conclusion: The Task of Restoring Trust is Far from Finished
The Albanese government heads into the summer on a high, but the task of restoring general trust in government is far from finished. While the government has made progress on some issues, such as the social media age ban, it still faces significant challenges in addressing issues such as gambling reform and the "jobs for mates" scandal. The steady trend away from major parties continues, and the government must be aware of the need to continue to work to restore trust in government. As the prime minister himself noted, this is a time when trust in governments and institutions is under challenge, and the government must be vigilant in addressing these challenges.