In the face of an increasingly polarised and divided society (Recoded, 2021), Australia needs to find common ground and clear direction so that we have what it takes to make a flourishing future. Next25 Navigator (2021) uncovers the public's most important aspirations and those the nation is performing most poorly on. The findings reveal that one of the biggest gaps between Australia today and the future our country wants is the problem of not taking responsibility for mistakes.
The Navigator survey found 79% of us say everyone taking responsibility for mistakes is important, but only 44% say we are doing a good job.
Australia’s problem of not taking responsibility affects everyone – and it takes all of us to make change. Next25 has delved deeper into this issue through interviews with 40 members of the public and those with opinions informed by their professional roles. Many say the problem is getting worse.
In December last year, references to “personal responsibility” in the media skyrocketed. Many of the discussions have centred on the pandemic response around vaccine rates, mask-wearing, and social distancing – who is answerable for “stopping the spread”? The media has highlighted a rally going back-and-forth between the government and the public over who is responsible for keeping the ball in the air.
Figure 1 source: News database Factiva, “personal responsibility” searched between 01/01/1980 to 24/3/22. Limited to region: Australia.
Figure 2 source: News database Factiva, “personal responsibility” searched between 24/3/21 to 24/3/22. Limited to region: Australia.
So, who bears the onus for taking responsibility – and who is expected to apologise for undesired outcomes? While discourse around responsibility during the pandemic is a recent example, our research found that the problem of not taking responsibility is broad in its application, far reaching across society, and has a long history in Australia. Our interviewees say Australia has a “strong underdog mentality” and a desire to “never show weakness”. This aversion to vulnerability fuels blame culture and scapegoating, where responsibility is sought to be avoided when something goes wrong.
Our research found that there is a higher expectation for leaders and those in positions of power to take responsibility as their mistakes often have wider implications. Interviewees criticised politicians most heavily for failing to take responsibility, but also recalled instances when business leaders have failed to admit mistakes, including damage caused by oil spills, financial law breaches by the Crown Casino, misconduct associated with the Financial Services Royal Commission, and Rio Tinto’s destruction of Juukan Gorge. Despite a strong focus on leaders failing to take responsibility, respondents are clear that everyone has a role in contributing to the problem and in improving how Australia takes responsibility for mistakes.
Next25 deeply investigates the big issues holding Australia back to create a foundation for positive change – which we leverage to design, build, run and scale catalytic improvements through our incubator. Our interviews found that the public see the country’s problem of failing to take responsibility for mistakes as rooted in Australian culture, exemplified by politicians and business leaders, and fuelled by traditional and social media.
Perpetuating this problem is a troubling dynamic that underpins Australia’s blame culture. While there is a stronger condemnation of leaders, interviewees also have little faith in the public to take responsibility. Our research found that while the nation overall is seen as failing to own up, the majority of people interviewed are sure they take responsibility for their own mistakes. But how can this be true, considering people are convinced that the public does not take responsibility for mistakes? This shows we are prone to scapegoating others while failing to acknowledge our own role in owning up as a member of our community and the broader public.
Next25 unpacks all these themes - including where to next and how Australia might improve on taking responsibility - in our upcoming Navigator snapshot Taking Responsibility for Mistakes in Australia.
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