Big Ideas In a time of division, how can we rebuild social cohesion? — with Australian Human Rights Commissioner Hugh de Kretser
Mar 9, 2026
Hugh de Kretser, President of the Australian Human Rights Commission and former Yoorrook CEO, speaks on rebuilding social bonds. He discusses what social cohesion means and why it is under strain. He covers truth-telling, racism and the Seen and Heard findings, a proposed national Human Rights Act, and practical steps to listen, acknowledge harms and foster unity.
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What Social Cohesion Really Means
- Social cohesion is a contested term that must be handled carefully and defined positively as belonging, trust, participation and acceptance.
- Hugh de Kretser uses the Scanlon-Monash index components (belonging, worth, social justice, participation, acceptance) to ground the definition in measurable indicators.
Evidence Australia’s Social Fabric Is Fraying
- Multiple indicators show Australia's social cohesion has declined: low Scanlon-Monash scores, falling trust in government, rising racism and widening inequality.
- De Kretser contrasts this with persistent strengths like strong support for multiculturalism and relatively high institutional trust versus OECD peers.
Algorithms Monetise Division And Erode Truth
- Social media and commercial media incentives amplify polarisation by monetising outrage and privileging loud anonymous voices.
- De Kretser links algorithmic incentives and pursuit of eyeballs to increased attacks on people instead of policy debate and erosion of truth.