Sociotropic voting. Yes…I had to look it up as well.

Maybe our politicians are making the ballot mistake?

According to Peter Hartcher’s piece in the SMH today, 57% as opposed to 37% of Australians would have preferred the budget to pay-off national debt than give personal tax breaks. 

Ross Gittins then claims, also in the SMH today, that the Government is actually breaking trust by representing the budget numbers as they do, so as to give voters a tax incentive to support them at the next election.   

The questions for me…why, if voters support national outcomes, does the Government feel it’s necessary to bend the truth so as to offer personal benefits to “persuade” voters?  Why does this disconnect between national values and political behaviours need to exist?

I would love it if these opportunity gaps could begin to be searched for by our leaders and recognised as the way to rebuild enduring support and faith in our key institutions.