Over 1 Million Disenfranchised Australians Feel Left Behind and Disconnected from Government
A newly identified group of over 1 million Australians feels increasingly marginalised, distrusting the government and believing the nation’s core values are under threat. Predominantly holding traditional beliefs, this cohort often describes their experience as getting a 'raw deal out of life', and their sense of disillusionment is growing nationwide.
Recent research by Roy Morgan reveals that this group of disaffected Australians is most concentrated in regions such as the Northern Territory, particularly Alice Springs and other remote areas. In contrast, Canberra emerges as the opposite extreme, where this group is notably absent.
The findings highlight a growing divide between those in what many describe as the 'Canberra bubble' and Australians living in remote and regional areas who are facing escalating economic and social pressures.
“This growing disconnect between the Canberra elite and those doing it tough in the outback and remote Australia is concerning,” said Michele Levine, CEO of Roy Morgan. “These results show that over one million Australians feel forgotten by politicians, and this alienation should be a serious concern for the government as the next election approaches.”
Roy Morgan’s research demonstrates that these disaffected Australians also have a distinct political profile. While the group is more inclined to vote for the Coalition, their support for One Nation is significantly higher, at 2.5 times the national average. In contrast, their likelihood of voting for Labor or the Greens is substantially lower than average. This suggests a growing Australian base drawn to alternative political voices in the current landscape.
For these Australians, keeping the cost of living down is paramount, a sentiment echoed across the entire population. However, this group is twice as likely as the national average to express concerns over immigration issues and half as likely to see 'global warming and climate change' as a key priority.
Over and Under-representation of Disaffected Australians:
The research also reveals that these disaffected Australians are overrepresented in the outer suburbs of major cities and regional towns, including southwest Sydney and regional Queensland. This contrasts starkly with the nation’s capital and affluent urban centres, where these disaffected Australians are underrepresented.
Mirroring Global Trends:
Ms. Levine drew parallels between this disaffected group and the sentiment that led to Britain leaving the EU:
“This mirrors what we saw in the UK during the Brexit referendum, where millions of disenfranchised Britons voted to leave the EU—not based on policy or any clear understanding of the issues, but as a reaction against authority and the ‘people in charge’. It sounds a real warning to the Australian government facing a federal election in as little as six months’ time,” she said.
“When people feel disconnected and unheard, they’re more likely to make reactive, emotionally driven decisions. This has significant implications for the stability of Australia’s democracy, as the growing sense of disillusionment could lead to political unpredictability and a lack of confidence in our democratic institutions.”
Number of Disaffected Australians Growing:
The number of Australians feeling disenfranchised has almost doubled since before the pandemic, increasing from a little over half a million in December 2019 to more than a million by the end of 2023. This rapid growth indicates a shifting public sentiment, particularly in areas facing economic challenges and limited political engagement.
“This is Australia’s hidden underbelly, posing a quiet threat to our democracy. Politicians appear blind to the needs of these people, leaving them feeling alienated and forgotten.
“As their voices go unheard, the disillusionment grows, further promoting distrust in our democratic institutions,” said Ms Levine.
About Roy Morgan:
Roy Morgan is Australia’s largest independent research company, with over 80 years of experience providing objective and independent information on consumers, politics, and society. The company’s expertise spans a broad spectrum of research, including consumer behaviour, political attitudes, and social trends, in Australia, the U.S., and the U.K.
Margin of Error
The margin of error to be allowed for in any estimate depends mainly on the number of interviews on which it is based. Margin of error gives indications of the likely range within which estimates would be 95% likely to fall, expressed as the number of percentage points above or below the actual estimate. Allowance for design effects (such as stratification and weighting) should be made as appropriate.
| Sample Size | Percentage Estimate |
| 40% – 60% | 25% or 75% | 10% or 90% | 5% or 95% | |
| 1,000 | ±3.0 | ±2.7 | ±1.9 | ±1.3 |
| 5,000 | ±1.4 | ±1.2 | ±0.8 | ±0.6 |
| 7,500 | ±1.1 | ±1.0 | ±0.7 | ±0.5 |
| 10,000 | ±1.0 | ±0.9 | ±0.6 | ±0.4 |
| 20,000 | ±0.7 | ±0.6 | ±0.4 | ±0.3 |
| 50,000 | ±0.4 | ±0.4 | ±0.3 | ±0.2 |
