True Issues 39 shows cost of living and housing remain top concerns for Australians, alongside increasing worry about energy costs and social cohesion.

Our two new True Issues reports for September 2025 see notable moves in our regular tracking and illuminate how people see the economic policy task ahead after the August Reform Roundtable​

Cost of living remains clearly the number one issue as Australia prepares for a national election campaign and the economy continues to be weighed by pessimism despite the big focus this week on the RBA’s interest rates decision. In the first True Issues public opinion survey for 2025 we have tested a range of policies announced by the parties soon putting themselves forward to the electorate. We also look at some additional policy approaches that further illuminates the debate around how to respond to cost of living pressures and national perceptions around an ongoing crisis of affordability.