Trust in Government

Author: Dan Barr, 10 September 2025

Why Good Engagement Matters

Trust in government is one of the cornerstones of democracy. Strong relationships between governments, citizens, and organisations are built on transparency, inclusion, and effective engagement. Yet in Australia, trust levels remain lower than comparable democracies such as New Zealand and Canada.

Globally, trust in democratic institutions is under pressure from technological disruption, rising inequality, political polarisation, and declining civility in public debate. Australia is no exception—these challenges affect every level of government, shaping decisions, slowing delivery, and impacting productivity.

The Role of Engagement in Building Trust

Effective stakeholder and community engagement is a proven way to strengthen trust. Elected representatives and institutions increasingly recognise that meaningful consultation is not just a nice-to-have, but a community expectation.

The challenge lies not in knowing why engagement is important, but in understanding how to do it well—so it:

·       Strengthens democracy and decision-making

·       Meets the needs of an informed and expectant community

·       Supports timely delivery and productivity

Questions Governments Are Asking

When planning new policies, infrastructure, or services, governments often face the same questions:

1.    Who do we need to engage with, and how?

2.    What will we do with the information we collect?

3.    How much influence should stakeholders have in the process?

4.    How do we show communities their input was valued and used?

The Challenge for Government Organisations

In many cases, engagement is led not by trained engagement professionals but by subject matter experts—policy officers, engineers, or planners—whose expertise lies elsewhere. Engagement processes are further shaped by the expectations of elected representatives, funding bodies, and stakeholder groups.

As a result, engagement has become an expected stage in every project timeline, but without the structures, training, and frameworks to ensure consistency or quality. This can delay delivery, stretch resources, and weaken trust instead of building it.

The Way Forward

Engagement done well is a driver of trust, better governance, and stronger communities. To achieve this, governments need to prioritise the development of:

·       Clear tools and frameworks

·       Practical skills and training

·       Governance processes that support consistent, evidence-based engagement

By investing in better engagement, councils and government organisations can improve productivity, reduce risk, and build trust with the communities they serve.

It’s time to move beyond expectations and start embedding the systems and support that deliver good engagement—every time.