Government Popularity, Political Responsiveness and Democracy in Australia

The two-way flow of information between citizens and their government is central to a healthy democracy but has come under pressure in Australia in recent years. As democracy experiences stress around the world, understanding what most concerns citizens and how governments respond to those concerns is crucial to ensuring an effective democracy in our nation. By matching public opinion polls from the 1970s to the present with a wide range of social, economic, and political information, this project will identify how events, crises, and economic performance affect the popularity of governments, and, in turn, how they develop and implement policies in response. Through public presentations and accessible reports, this project will share with members of parliament and the general community, a series of actionable recommendations and strategies for democratic reform. It will help to influence