Nearly one in 10 Australians believe violence can be justified for a political cause as many lose faith in government and mainstream leaders.

A nationwide survey of more than 4000 people found just over half were satisfied with how democracy worked, while a little over one-third said they trusted federal politicians.

Almost nine per cent of those surveyed agreed violence could be justified for political causes, including a small share who strongly agreed with that position, according to the inaugural McKinnon Index released on Sunday.

The findings follow rising violence at political rallies in major cities, with police and protesters injured at anti-immigration and pro-Palestinian events.

"Democracy is not a passive inheritance - it must be a sustained, McKinnon chief executive and for

See Full Page