Australians are angry, the national mood is tanking — and our leaders don’t appear to be listening

Fewer than one-in-five people believe corporate Australia is ‘behaving ethically’, with new data revealing the national mood is tanking.

An SEC Newgate Mood of the Nation survey of more than 1600 voters reveals the national mood is tanking.

Fewer than one-in-five people believe corporate Australia is ­“behaving ethically and doing the right thing”, with Australians irate about excessive profits, unjustified price increases, tax avoidance, the treatment of ­employees and executive pay.

An SEC Newgate Mood of the Nation survey of more than 1600 voters reveals the national mood is tanking, with Australians increasingly concerned about cost-of-living pressures, work-related stress, disappointment with the voice referendum and anxiety over global tensions.

Ahead of a likely 13th rate hike in 18 months on Tuesday, SEC Newgate Research partner David Stolper said “nearly two-thirds of Australians now think the country is heading in the wrong direction and are increasingly uneasy about the long-term prospects for the economy”.

The poll, conducted days after Anthony Albanese’s failed voice referendum between October 18-23, shows only 32 per cent of Australians rate the federal government’s performance as “good”.

Amid fierce criticism of Qantas and other major companies over their performance, bumper profits and donations to the Yes voice campaign, the survey delivers a scathing assessment of the private sector.

“Only around one in five (18 per cent) agree that corporate Australia is behaving ethically and doing the right thing (down from 21 per cent in August) with 46 per cent disagreeing,” the survey found.

“Key pain points include perceptions of excessive profits, unjustified price increases, tax avoidance, political interference, stagnant wages (especially in ­relation to executive pay) and the treatment of employees. The minority with a positive view spoke of their efforts to become more sustainable, address climate change, use Australian-made products and keep prices stable.”

The survey delivers a scathing assessment of the private sector.

As the Prime Minister and Treasurer Jim Chalmers seek to reassure Australians that the government is focused on the cost-of-living and housing crises, the survey says 63 per cent of voters “believe the country is heading in the wrong direction”.

“Only 34 per cent of Australians (down from 39 per cent last wave) selected mostly positive emotions to characterise how they’ve been feeling recently. Those feeling mostly negative typically noted financial stresses, work related pressures, and disappointment about the voice referendum result.”

Mr Stolper said attitudes to government and corporate Australia were worsening.

“The tightening financial context has brought sharp focus to community gripes around super profits, price gouging, tax avoidance, stagnant wages, lay-offs and the treatment of their employees,” he said.

Cost-of-living pressures (68 per cent) lead housing affordability, climate change, healthcare, voice and Indigenous issues, interest rates and inflation as the highest unprompted concerns and priorities among voters.

A majority of Australians ­believe the economy will deteriorate in the coming three to 12 months amid a plunge among those who think the economy will improve over three years.

Renters, middle-aged people and women are under the most pressure, with 43 per cent of voters having financial difficulties.

With the Albanese government under pressure to deliver on its 2030 and 2050 emissions ­reduction and net-zero pledges, the poll found the majority of voters remain positive about the transition to renewables although the “strength of support continues to decline”.