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Australia’s most trustworthy politicians are all women, research says

Deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek and Senator Penny Wong are among Australia's most credible politicians.

Deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek and Senator Penny Wong are among Australia's most credible politicians. Photo: AAP

Four people have topped the list of the most trustworthy politicians – and they all have one thing in common.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Labor Senator Penny Wong, former Liberal foreign minister Julie Bishop and Labor’s deputy leader Tanya Plibersek have been named among the Australian people’s most trusted leaders.

The leadership survey asked 1400 Australians to rate leaders on qualities such as relevance, integrity, commitment, shared values, affinity and follow through.

Results from the study show that Australia’s three most credible federal leaders are all women.

Bizarrely, the most trusted leader of all isn’t even Australian.

Ms Arden emerged as the most popular leader in Ogilvy PR’s ‘Believability Index’ with a score of 77 per cent.

She made history last year when she was the first world leader to attend the United Nations general assembly with her newborn baby in tow.

Jacinda Ardern’s partner Clarke Gayford looked after baby Neve while the New Zealand Prime Minister delivered a speech at the United Nations. Photo: Getty

The popular PM was also praised for her display of compassion and leadership following the Christchurch massacre on March 15 that killed 50 Muslim worshippers.

On home soil, Senator Penny Wong was ranked the most trusted federal legislator with a score of 53 per cent.

A new Australia Institute poll also found that Senator Wong is the fourth most recognised politician on the front bench of either major party, putting her in front of Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Liberal MP Christopher Pyne.

“Senator Wong is more well known than almost all of the current Cabinet,” Australia Institute’s executive director Ben Oquist said.

If Labor wins the May 18 election, Senator Wong will become the leader of the government in the Senate and the new foreign affairs minister.

Penny Wong

Senator Penny Wong is Australia’s most trusted politician. Photo: Getty

The Coalition’s former foreign minister Julie Bishop scored 52 per cent in the ‘Believability Index’ and will retire with the highest name recognition (77 per cent) of all current Coalition ministers.

Ms Bishop has held the federal seat of Curtin since winning it in 1998 and became Australia’s first female foreign minister in 2013 under the Abbott government.

She announced her retirement from politics in February, six months after Mr Morrison beat her attempt to become prime minister in last year’s leadership spill.

Senator Wong and Ms Bishop were given higher scores than the prime minister and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, who scored 43 per cent and 42 per cent, respectively.

“When it comes to capturing the hearts and minds of the people they lead, it’s no longer enough to just focus on trust – that’s merely a starting point and a rational place to play,” Ogilvy PR chief strategy officer Kaz Scott said.

“More important is the ability for leaders to transcend the rational and build an emotional connection.

“That takes them from being not just trusted or believed, but believed in.”

Greens leader Richard Di Natale scored 45, narrowly beating controversial One Nation leader Pauline Hanson’s score of 44.

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