The Trust Gap: Democracy in the Lucky Country
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Actors name
Chars name
Scholarship to Society
The Trust Gap
When
6.30pm - 7.45pm
Where
Union Theatre
Arts and Cultural Building
The University of Melbourne
15 Monash Road, Parkville VIC 3010
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Former independent politician and journalist Zoe Goldstein and the University of Melbourne's Associate Professor of Political Science Aaron Martin, explore the slow erosion of trust in our institutions and what lies behind it.
The accepted story is that a wave of distrust has swept across established democracies. But is that really the case?
In his book, The Trust Gap, the University of Melbourne’s Associate Professor of Political Science Aaron Martin draws on decades of survey data to challenge the prevailing narrative that while trust has fallen sharply in the US and UK, many democracies – Australia included – remain more resilient than the headlines suggest. Zoe Daniel, democracy advocate and former independent representative for the seat of Goldstein, brings nearly three decades of journalism, including as the ABC’s Washington bureau chief, and a term in federal parliament to a similar question of how public confidence is won and lost.
For this edition of Scholarship to Society, they join host Sally Warhaft to take stock of our levels of trust in Australian institutions and the forces at play in shaping them.
Tickets
General
$19.50
Concession / Under 30s
$15.50
Pay What You Wish
From $0
This event is ticketed by The Wheeler Centre
Running Time
Approximately 75 minutes
Photography and Recording
Please be advised that the University of Melbourne and partners may use photographs, audio and video recorded during this event for publication in print and online, including on social media. Please alert the photographer at the event should you not wish to have your photograph taken.
Accessibility
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Accessible toilets available
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Infrared Hearing Assist System
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Auslan interpreting available by-request
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Companion tickets available
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Registered Assistance Animals welcome
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Wheelchair accessible
Partners
In partnership with The Wheeler Centre and the Melbourne Public Humanities Initiative, Faculty of Arts, the University of Melbourne
Featuring
Zoe Daniel
Zoe Daniel is a nationally distinguished journalist, foreign correspondent, author, speaker and former independent Federal Member for Goldstein.
Zoe made history in 2022 as the first woman elected to the seat of Goldstein, running as a community-backed independent. She played a key role in strengthening climate legislation and led efforts to introduce integrity measures, such as gambling ad bans and digital safety laws.
A fierce advocate for transparency and independent politics, Zoe continues to drive reform through public speaking, consulting, advocacy and community engagement. Her approach is grounded in integrity, impact and people-first policymaking.
Before entering politics, Zoe spent nearly three decades as a journalist, covering major global events including climate disasters, conflict, political upheaval and the rise of Donald Trump. As the ABC’s Washington Bureau Chief and as a seasoned foreign correspondent across Africa and Asia, her work brought clarity to crises and earned deep public trust.
Zoe is the author of three books—Storyteller, a memoir of life on the front lines of journalism; Angel, a novel inspired by her coverage of Typhoon Haiyan; and Greetings from Trumpland, co-authored with Roscoe Whalan, analysing the Trump era through an Australian lens.
Zoe lives in bayside Melbourne with her family and remains a passionate voice for democracy, equity and climate action.
She works in advocacy, communications and supporting boards, executives and organisations to translate aims to outcomes. She is a writer, public speaker and community leader.
Zoe is the inaugural Independent Chair of Mental Health Victoria.
Photo by Bernard Wright
Aaron Martin
Aaron Martin was educated at the Australian National University, the Institute of Political Studies (Paris), Stanford University and the University of Melbourne. He returned to University of Melbourne and is now an Associate Professor of Political Science. He is the author of three books: Young People and Politics (Routledge), Policy Agendas in Australia (Palgrave) with Keith Dowding, and The Trust Gap (Bristol University Press). Aaron has led the University's involvement in Vote Compass over the past four federal elections and has been a Visiting Researcher at McGill, Princeton and Vanderbilt. Aaron has written for or appeared on most of Australia's major media outlets including the ABC, SBS, The Age, The Australian, the Guardian and RRR, and has served as a consultant for various public organisations.
Sally Warhaft
Sally Warhaft is a Melbourne broadcaster, anthropologist and writer. She is the host of The Fifth Estate, the Wheeler Centre’s live series focusing on journalism, politics, media, and international relations, and The Leap Year, a Wheeler Centre podcast about Australians' lives in the fog of the Covid-19 pandemic. She is a former editor of The Monthly and the author of the bestselling book Well May We Say: The Speeches that Made Australia.
Sally is a regular host and commentator on ABC radio and has a PhD in anthropology. She did her fieldwork in Mumbai, India, living by the seashore with the local fishing community.
Photo by Darren James
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Former independent politician and journalist Zoe Goldstein and the University of Melbourne's Associate Professor of Political Science Aaron Martin, explore the slow erosion of trust in our institutions and what lies behind it.
The accepted story is that a wave of distrust has swept across established democracies. But is that really the case?
In his book, The Trust Gap, the University of Melbourne’s Associate Professor of Political Science Aaron Martin draws on decades of survey data to challenge the prevailing narrative that while trust has fallen sharply in the US and UK, many democracies – Australia included – remain more resilient than the headlines suggest. Zoe Daniel, democracy advocate and former independent representative for the seat of Goldstein, brings nearly three decades of journalism, including as the ABC’s Washington bureau chief, and a term in federal parliament to a similar question of how public confidence is won and lost.
For this edition of Scholarship to Society, they join host Sally Warhaft to take stock of our levels of trust in Australian institutions and the forces at play in shaping them.
Featuring
Zoe Daniel
Zoe Daniel is a nationally distinguished journalist, foreign correspondent, author, speaker and former independent Federal Member for Goldstein.
Zoe made history in 2022 as the first woman elected to the seat of Goldstein, running as a community-backed independent. She played a key role in strengthening climate legislation and led efforts to introduce integrity measures, such as gambling ad bans and digital safety laws.
A fierce advocate for transparency and independent politics, Zoe continues to drive reform through public speaking, consulting, advocacy and community engagement. Her approach is grounded in integrity, impact and people-first policymaking.
Before entering politics, Zoe spent nearly three decades as a journalist, covering major global events including climate disasters, conflict, political upheaval and the rise of Donald Trump. As the ABC’s Washington Bureau Chief and as a seasoned foreign correspondent across Africa and Asia, her work brought clarity to crises and earned deep public trust.
Zoe is the author of three books—Storyteller, a memoir of life on the front lines of journalism; Angel, a novel inspired by her coverage of Typhoon Haiyan; and Greetings from Trumpland, co-authored with Roscoe Whalan, analysing the Trump era through an Australian lens.
Zoe lives in bayside Melbourne with her family and remains a passionate voice for democracy, equity and climate action.
She works in advocacy, communications and supporting boards, executives and organisations to translate aims to outcomes. She is a writer, public speaker and community leader.
Zoe is the inaugural Independent Chair of Mental Health Victoria.
Photo by Bernard Wright
Aaron Martin
Aaron Martin was educated at the Australian National University, the Institute of Political Studies (Paris), Stanford University and the University of Melbourne. He returned to University of Melbourne and is now an Associate Professor of Political Science. He is the author of three books: Young People and Politics (Routledge), Policy Agendas in Australia (Palgrave) with Keith Dowding, and The Trust Gap (Bristol University Press). Aaron has led the University's involvement in Vote Compass over the past four federal elections and has been a Visiting Researcher at McGill, Princeton and Vanderbilt. Aaron has written for or appeared on most of Australia's major media outlets including the ABC, SBS, The Age, The Australian, the Guardian and RRR, and has served as a consultant for various public organisations.
Sally Warhaft
Sally Warhaft is a Melbourne broadcaster, anthropologist and writer. She is the host of The Fifth Estate, the Wheeler Centre’s live series focusing on journalism, politics, media, and international relations, and The Leap Year, a Wheeler Centre podcast about Australians' lives in the fog of the Covid-19 pandemic. She is a former editor of The Monthly and the author of the bestselling book Well May We Say: The Speeches that Made Australia.
Sally is a regular host and commentator on ABC radio and has a PhD in anthropology. She did her fieldwork in Mumbai, India, living by the seashore with the local fishing community.
Photo by Darren James
What's on at UMAC
Liane Moriarty with Toni Jordan
To open Readings' A Day in Carlton 2026, world-famous author Liane Moriarty joins beloved Melbourne writer Toni Jordan to discuss her highly anticipated follow up to Big Little Lies.
Play in a Day: Volpone, Or, The Fox
Bell Shakespeare’s lively script reading series celebrating rarely read classics.
Wake in Fright
In a ferocious solo performance, Zahra Newman (STC's Dracula) returns to the twisted heart of Wake in Fright.
Liane Moriarty with Toni Jordan
To open Readings' A Day in Carlton 2026, world-famous author Liane Moriarty joins beloved Melbourne writer Toni Jordan to discuss her highly anticipated follow up to Big Little Lies.
See all upcoming events