Faith in Australian governments falls amid corruption concerns

Trust and confidence in all levels of government is continuing to slide as calls intensify for the establishment of a national anti-corruption agency.

A global corruption barometer conducted by Griffith University and Transparency International Australia has also flagged concerns about public officials or politicians using their positions to benefit themselves or their families.

Kim Landers speaks with Professor AJ Brown on the ABC's "AM"

A telephone survey of 2,218 adults is the first measure since 2012 gauging the growing impact of corruption on trust and condifence in government.

Project leader Professor AJ Brown of Griffith University says rising citizen distrust in real or suspected corruption underscores support for a new anti-corruption body sponsored by the federal government.

"We now see a stronger correlation between trust and action against corruption," Professor Brown said.

"Continued slippage in the perceived integrity of federal officials clearly has a disproportionate effect on overall trust and confidence, nationwide."

According to the survey, trust and confidence in all levels of government fell last year to 46 percent for federal and state levels and 51 percent for local government.

While concerns about bribery remain low at two percent, concerns about public officials and politicians abusing their position to benefit themselves or family rose to 62 percent.

The report says there has been a nine percent increase in perceptions that federal members of parliament are corrupt, with 85 percent of respondents saying at least "some" are corrupt with 18 percent believing "most or all" are corrupt.

Transparency International Australia chief executive Serena Lillywhite said the survey shows the risks of undue influence that benefits the rich and powerful is real.

"For 56% of respondents – equating to over 10.2 million Australians – to say they had personally witnessed or suspected favouritism by a politician or official in exchange for donations or support is nothing less than shocking," Ms Lillywhite said.

"This snapshot also shows the case for a strong, comprehensive federal anti-corruption agency is well understood by those within government, not just based on the fears of outsiders."

"Improved transparency and strengthened oversight of government decision making, including the regulation of lobbyists, is also long overdue," Ms Lillywhite concluded.

The barometer shows 67 percent of respondents support the creation of a federal anti-corruption body with 43 percent expressing strong support.

The full findings to be released tomorrow at a Canberra symposium come as the federal government examines the merits of a national integrity commission similar to the Independent Commission Against Corruption in New South Wales.