Recent events in Australia, including the tragic deaths of fifteen Jewish Australians in a terrorist attack and violent protests related to the Israel-Palestine conflict, have contributed to a growing sense of division within the country. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called for efforts to 'turn the temperature down' in the midst of escalating tensions between different societal groups. The political atmosphere is further complicated by the rise of support for the One Nation party, highlighting fractures in the conservative side of politics as factions struggle to find common ground.

A new JWS Research survey illustrates this changing sentiment, showing a stark increase in the percentage of Australians who believe the nation is deeply divided. Whereas only 27 percent of respondents felt Australia was 'extremely' or 'very' divided eighteen months ago, that figure has risen to 41 percent in the latest survey. Additionally, nearly half of those surveyed, 45 percent, indicated that they believe Australia is 'somewhat' divided, suggesting a widespread acknowledgment of societal rifts.

This shift in public perception is significant for a country that has long celebrated its social cohesion and relative distance from global conflicts. The findings prompt a call to action for government leaders and community figures to address the underlying issues causing this division, to foster a sense of unity and mitigate further discord among Australians.