# ‘Discontent and distrust’: annual social cohesion checkup shows exactly what’s making Australia angry

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/discontent-and-distrust-annual-social-cohesion-checkup-shows-exactly-whats-making-australia-angry/
- Published: 2026-11-04T14:00:36+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-04T14:20:56+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/nov/04/social-cohesion-report-australia-cost-of-living-economy-immigration-multiculturalism-ai-ntwnfb
- Topics: AI, Climate, Government, Politics, Science, Software, Technology, World

## Key points

- Cost-of-living pressures are driving discontent and pessimism.
- Social cohesion remains at 78 out of 100.
- Support for immigration and multiculturalism remains strong.

## Summary

Australia’s annual Scanlon social cohesion report finds that economic pressure is fuelling discontent, pessimism and distrust of government, and influencing how some people vote. Yet its overall measure of social cohesion remains steady, with support for immigration and multiculturalism still strong and many people feeling connected to their communities.

More than 10,000 people answered 100 questions for the study. Cost of living was the top issue for 36% of respondents, followed by housing affordability and shortages at 11%, other economic issues at 10% and immigration at 9%; 77% were concerned about a severe global downturn. The cohesion index stayed at 78 out of 100, although 62% thought cohesion had declined and 48% were pessimistic about Australia’s future, up from 43% in 2025.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.