Is anyone out there the slightest bit surprised that political parties are Australia’s least-trusted institutions.
Australia’s most trusted organisation remains the High Court, although it’s copped a hammering, slumping 17 per cent from a peak of 74 per cent support since March 2013.
The latest Essential poll of 1835 Australians found a meagre 13 per cent totally trusted political parties – actually a one per cent improvement since March 2013.
For business groups it was 22 per cent (down four points), unions 22 per cent (down three), federal parliament 25 per cent (down nine) and environment groups 31 per cent (down 10).
The ABC remains Australia’s second most trusted institution, with 54 per cent support (down 16), followed by the Reserve Bank with 52 per cent (down 12).
Despite the continuing lurid headlines about clerical child abuse, religious organisations still enjoy 26 per cent total trust, a fall of just one point.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
