Trust in government increased during the Covid‐19 pandemic in Australia and New Zealand. Issue 1 (6th January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Goldfinch, Shaun; Taplin, Ross; Gauld, Robin
• Is Part Of: Australian journal of public administration. Volume 80:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 3
• Page End: 11
• Publication Date: 2021-01-06
• Subjects: Australia -- confidence -- Covid‐19 -- expertise -- New Zealand -- public health scientists -- trust in government; Public administration -- Australia -- Periodicals; Policy sciences -- Australia -- Periodicals; Australia -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; 351.9405
• DOI: 10.1111/1467-8500.12459
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0313-6647

Abstract

Abstract: Using an online panel, we surveyed a representative sample of 500 each in Australia and New Zealand during July 2020, in the middle of the Covid‐19 pandemic. We find trust in government has increased dramatically, with around 80% of respondents agreeing government was generally trustworthy. Around three quarters agreed management of the pandemic had increased their trust in government. Over 85% of respondents have confidence that public health scientists work in the public interest. Testing four hypotheses, we find that income and education predict trust in government and confidence in public health scientists, as does voting for the political party in government. Trust in government and confidence in public health scientists strongly predict Covid‐19 phone application use, largely through convincing people the App is beneficial. Trust in government then is both an outcome and antecedent of government effectiveness. Building trust is important for governments implementing difficult policy responses during a crisis. Abstract : The management of the Covid‐19 pandemic has been associated with a dramatic increase in trust in government in Australia and New Zealand. Confidence in public health scientists is also high. Trust and confidence are associated with greater use of the Covid‐19 phone application.