What’s more powerful than the politics of division? Actually listening to people | Julianne Schultz

Recent events in Australia have highlighted the effectiveness of genuinely listening to and responding to the grievances of voters, rather than resorting to populism and retribution. American Democrats demonstrated this by providing voters with an alternative to chaos and division, showing that there is no inevitability to populist authoritarianism. This approach has also been seen in other countries like Brazil, Serbia, and Hungary.

In Australia, cynicism about politics, decreasing trust, and widespread disappointment are on the rise. Politicians often resort to platitudes and carefully crafted talking points, failing to grasp the real pain, anxiety, and hopelessness felt by many citizens. Instead of providing a path forward, they continue with empty rhetoric that manipulates emotions.

Pauline Hanson is not alone in encouraging anger and offering retribution; other politicians, like Angus Taylor, are employing similar tactics. Their approach, while momentarily connecting with some voters, ultimately proves to be manipulative and devoid of substance. Anthony Albanese may be right, and by the 2028 election, the world might have changed. However, warning signs continue to grow.

The McKinnon Foundation's Democracy Index and the Scanlon report have revealed more evidence of these warning signs. It is time for a reset, as promised after the Bondi shooting and the attack on independent MP Helen Haines. While initial reactions focused on threats to elected representatives and increased security, this approach is fundamentally at odds with the nature of the job: to be available and responsive to those they represent.

The loss of public trust and the growing sense of disconnect between politicians and their constituents are evident. Politicians often move quickly from one encounter to another, with brief exchanges and little substance shared. This approach, which prioritizes maintaining appearances over genuine communication, ensures that any challenges to the prevailing worldview are effectively silenced.

The alleged attack on Helen Haines, while initially prompting discussions about parliamentary processes, gender violence, and mental health, was eventually overshadowed by increasing intensity in the political environment. The public, having become desensitized to such incidents, moves on quickly, leaving politicians struggling to maintain relevance and connection with their constituents.