Parliamentary Stunts Are Eroding Voters' Trust, Expert Warns

With a federal election still more than a year away, the tone coming out of Canberra has already turned sharply personal. Name-calling, parliamentary swearing and increasingly theatrical stunts have become the norm rather than the exception, prompting a blunt question: are politicians winning anyone over, or simply burning through what little public trust remains?

Both sides of politics have leaned into spectacle in recent weeks. State LNP members staged a musical tribute following the death of Dolly Parton, while federal Labor MPs marked the return of parliament by welcoming children's entertainers the Wiggles into the chamber. A newly elected member for the Queensland seat of Bonner made headlines simply for dancing her way in and out of the building. Critics argue the moments are memorable for all the wrong reasons.

Credibility specialist Dr Nurell East says the shift is less about genuine theatre and more about a race to dominate headlines. Insults branding rivals as cowards or worse have replaced substantive debate on issues voters actually care about, such as the cost of living. In her view, the method itself has become the message, and it is doing little to rebuild confidence in either major party.

The contrast with past political sparring is stark. Long-serving defence minister Sir James Killen was once remembered for coolly telling a rowdy backbench colleague to "pipe down," a line still cited today as an example of wit rather than abuse. British wartime leader Winston Churchill's famous retort to a political rival threatening to poison him is held up as a similar case of sharp, memorable rhetoric delivered without descending into crudeness. Today's exchanges, Dr East argues, lack that same cleverness, reading instead as juvenile point-scoring.

Technology is adding a new dimension to the mudslinging. Old podcast appearances, social media posts and past interviews are being resurfaced and picked apart, with artificial intelligence tools making it far easier to dig through a politician's history for damaging material. Remarks made years ago on unrelated topics are increasingly being weaponised in current disputes, adding another layer to an already combative news cycle.

Dr East warns there is a real risk in all of it. Politicians who lean into extreme statements can build a loyal, vocal following, but a large share of voters sit on the fence, watching the spectacle and quietly reassessing whether either major party deserves their support. With trust in both sides sliding, she believes the opening is there for a leader willing to speak plainly about difficult issues and demonstrate genuine conviction, rather than chase headlines through stunts and insults.

Ultimately, the appetite for authenticity may be the deciding factor. Australians, especially since the pandemic, have become more attuned to spin, and a growing number appear willing to see through theatrics dressed up as leadership.