As Australians headed to the polls in the recent federal election, we weren’t just voting for political parties—we were voting for the kind of country we want to live in.
For many of us, that vote came down to a single, intangible but powerful factor: trust.
In a time marked by uncertainty—rising cost of living, climate disruption, global conflict, and community fatigue—what we yearn for in our leaders is not just policy detail. We want integrity. We want decency. We want vision. And we want to know that when we hand over our vote, we are entrusting our future to leaders who will honour that trust with authenticity and courage.
Which is why it was so disheartening to see certain campaign strategies once again revert to fear, division, and scapegoating. Some candidates resorted to negative campaigns targeting our most vulnerable—refugees, First Nations peoples, and other marginalised communities—fanning the flames of cultural fear for short-term political gain.
Language that dehumanised. Campaigns that stoked “us versus them” mentalities. Policies that felt more like punitive measures than solutions for equity.
These choices may have won a few headlines, but they cost something far more valuable: the trust of the people.
As someone who has spent a career fighting for human rights, justice, and social cohesion, I know the damage this kind of rhetoric does. It tears at the fabric of communities. It alienates. It disempowers. And crucially, it erodes the trust that is essential for effective leadership and national unity.
But there is another story to tell from this election—one that gives me hope.
In many parts of the country, we saw candidates and parties take a different path. A path rooted in inclusive values, respectful dialogue, and genuine engagement with communities. These were campaigns that didn’t shy away from hard conversations but approached them with empathy and a desire to listen, not lecture.
They spoke of shared futures, of reconciliation, of supporting those on the margins rather than pushing them further out.
These campaigns didn’t just win votes—they earned them.
Because when leaders show up with humanity, when they build platforms grounded in fairness and equity, and when they honour the diverse stories that make up our nation, trust follows.
This election reminded us that trust isn’t a given—it’s something that must be consistently built, nurtured, and earned.
It is built in truth-telling.
It is built when our political discourse reflects not just the loudest voices, but the most vulnerable.
It is built when leaders resist the temptation of weaponising fear and instead lead with courage and care.
As we move forward from this election, my hope is that we continue to hold our leaders to account—not just for what they promise, but how they promise it.
Because leadership isn’t just about results. It’s about values. It’s about who we choose to stand with, and who we’re willing to stand up for.
Now more than ever, Australians are seeking leaders they can believe in. Let’s continue demanding leadership that doesn’t exploit our differences, but celebrates them. Let’s keep building a politics of trust—brick by brick, voice by voice, action by action.
Because trust isn’t just good politics. It’s the foundation of a just society.