Great article . Voters always get the politicians they wanted and deserve and then they complain about it. Lets improve the quality and standards by which we elect our representatives and we will get better outcomes. Elections are a great way to continuously improve democratic models and narratives.

…Welcome to Australia…The “Disney” world of Hotchpotch politics. In this world the lobbyist, with two percent representation, controls the outcome for the remaining 98 percent: And this situation is projected by an elite class of tightly controlled Political representatives, as Democratic; nobody in their right mind would accept this reality as reasonable!

Don't have to worry on that point Graham?
Nobody is guilty as charged on that score!
I mean, their lips are moving aren't they?
Perhaps we need go all the way back to the Knights of the round table, to find truth and "Right Honorable" men?
[Like he, the legendary wick dipper, who used his Lance-a-lot, for Queen Genevieve?]
Who said what they meant, and meant what they said; as an actual element in "democratic politics"?
Unfortunately, that was also yet another work of fiction!
Perhaps it was written by a "politician", well versed in in the art of the oxymoron?
Perhaps the voters could read it and develop a well found habit of punishing those who lie?
Perhaps they already have!
Labor's stocks seem to be sinking faster than the titanic?
And like the band that played the same old tunes, even as the icy waves were closing over them, had no other solution, than to swap the deck chairs around!
All while playing that perennial favorite.
Be kind to your fine feathered friends, for a duck maybe somebody's mother?
Accompanied by the big base drum that went, B yarda boom, b yarda boom, b yarda boom, boom!
Now there's a nice quickstep, with lots of pirouettes?
Don't laugh, this is really really serious stuff here!
Rhrosty.

And.. To reinforce the above view; a wealthy tycoon steps up to the front door of Parliament in his Rolls Royce to expound the corruption and dislocation of the system, on behalf of the 98 percent unrepresented by the blatant corruption Australian Politics has descended into! (I did notice, on this mornings TV news)!

Macedonian Advocacy is correct in writing:

<<Voters always get the politicians they wanted and deserve and then they complain about it.>>

Yes, we all, over the long run, get what we deserve.

<<Lets improve the quality and standards by which we elect our representatives and we will get better outcomes. Elections are a great way to continuously improve democratic models and narratives.>>

Thinking we can fix things using elections or similar superficial tactics is delusional. Nothing can change this fundamental law of nature that we reap what we sow and only that.

We are beset and preyed upon by the political class. They are there to suck our blood, they are there to cheat us round every corner.

- But they wouldn't be there unless we deserved them.

The only remedy is for each of us to ask ourselves: "What have I done that is similar and how can I refrain from doing the same in the future". "Have I tried to control others?", "Have I been lying to others?" - "If so, how can I stop this habit?".

Graham,

Your argument only holds if both major parties are free to lie. In that case, the party that refuses to do so may well be at a disadvantage. The way to fix this is to extend the laws against false and misleading advertising that already apply to the consumer goods and services that we buy to election promises, with severe consequences for breaches. These would apply to the winners of the election, the Opposition, and minor parties and independents.

The courts could decide whether a particular election promise is false or misleading. If a promise is broken straight after the election, that is good evidence of a lie, and the courts can deal with it. If a promise is broken later on and it can be argued that keeping the promise is no longer in the public interest, then a citizens' jury could be called and the situation properly explained to them. If they agreed that the promise needs to be broken, then this could be done without repercussions.

As it is, people generally assume that anything the politicians tell us is a lie and probably in the interests of the lobbyists who fund their election campaigns. Most of us regard them with the respect they deserve.

...Very true Yuyutsu, but also oversimplified. Take note that 30 percent of the Australian economy lurks in the dark area of the black market.

...The proponents of this economy are not simply drug runners either; they are your every-day mums and dads that trade favors for cash in the area of trades for example, to avoid paying tax. They are your welfare recipient trading in illicit drugs to supplement meager income, and you name the rest for yourself.But...

...Just like Greece; every day is sunshine...until! So have we arrived at the intersection called "untill" yet?

...Looking at the despicable collection on a Canberra windy hill,and the totally corrupted political system that thrives on exclusion, we must be close!

I think Graham is basically right that truth and lies are not the main drivers of electoral politics.

Labor and Coalition Governments are like marriages. The accumulation of bad times prompts the desire for change, for a divorce (after average 11 year of marriage) or voting in a new party after a two term government totaling 7 years. Labor ran for 6-7 years 2007-2013.

With bad times already under Abbott-Hockey (very unpopular budget decisions, a Hung Palmer Senate on the way, Liberal identities now facing ICAC) the Coalition may only last to 2016-17.

Marginal electorates (feeling neglected) will probably go Labor in 2017.

Graham you missed one bunch of liars, the media.

We expect it from the ABC, but they have all picked up this "tough" budget, gouging the eyes out of innocent little babies etc., & it is nothing like that.

It is still a big spending budget that has not gone any where near hard enough to fix our deficit. Reducing the rate of increase Gillard attempted to lock in is not slashing spending, & only a partial return to sanity.

If the media were telling the truth it would be seen as a very mild attempt to back away from the stupidity of the last 6 years, & would be being attacked for not going hard enough.

As the media is increasingly full of pretty ladies, who probably dropped math at the end of primary school, we now find a growing financial illiteracy in the commentary. Most of them would need a calculator to make change from $50 for a $10 train ticket, & it certainly shows. Some of them may actually be dumb to believe the garbage they are pushing, but many, surely must know it is just a pile of lefty propaganda.

With these incompetents informing a populous with little more understanding, we get this huge outpouring of woe at what is really a very minor start to the belt tightening we will need. Hell compared to some of Keating's, this is all sugar & cream.

Abbott prior to the election had made a huge issue of Julia Gillard lying about the carbon tax; and presented himself as being truthful.
Abbott made some very particularly promises prior to the election. They began to dismantled those promises very soon after the election. The result being that Abbott didn't have any honeymoon period.
People are noting that the budget is not fair; it being class driven.
There is no comprehension about how some people were struggling prior to the budget being drafted.
The budget is going down like a lead balloon; and so, now the lying by politicians is being down played.
In my 40 years + of voting I have never seen so many lies in such a short time from a Liberal or Labor government.

Abbott should call an election to see if the people disregard his lies.
I bet he is too gutless. Too bent on clinging to power no matter what. Too scared of being judged by the Australian people.
Too scared they him as nothing more than another LIAR!
You cant hide forever rabbott and we wont forget the pain you are causing us for a long time.

It is disingenuous to say that the voters punish truth-telling because of what happened to Hewson.
Hewson got what he deserved because his policies were nearly as crap as this governments.
It is pure cowardice that they use his defeat to justify their refusal to be open with the Australian public before an election.

Democracy needs voters to be informed truthfully. Otherwise it is just a farce. If voters decide their choice on the basis of lies then they are justified in feeling betrayed and wanting to destroy the government that lied to gain their vote. I dont see what all the debate is about. No one likes being had for a sucker and they will turn on those that treat them as one.

Abbott and his minions have no clothes and it is obvious for all to see.

ELECTION NOW!

This govt; has forfeited any form of behavior. How can you have a lie that is not a lie.
After the ruckus of the last parliament pointing to liars as the biggest concern, and then completely throwing out any regard for truth to prevail, means the election was built on a fraud.
When the liberals recognise there were lies told, only then can we move forward. This will only come under a new leadership.
MR Abbott has lost all credibility in what he says. It's best not to listen.
Before the last election, the populous had had enough of Gillard and Rudd. So a change was offered. So what happened. It is not what we voted for. We got an impostor, we were warned, we saw abbott's unlikely character, but it was worth a go on what we were told.
But no one seen the devil in the detail. Australians will take some time to get over this one.

"Voters punish those who tell the whole truth".

Taking the above at face value, Bill Shorten is safe in his position, as he would not be punished by voters.

So all Bill has to do is continue to pretend that nothing untoward was going on under Labor.

Graham never would have written such a mitigating article if the shoe was on the other foot. I seem to recall his bile towards the carbon pricing and Julia Gillard, no mitigation for her. Never "let's put aside whether a lie was told, whether political necessity should trump a promise, and think of our country" back then. No.

What we have here is a politician blown to smithereens by his own "honesty" bomb and furtive plotting against Labor's electorate.

That has become the main story, for now, but without the mainstream media working hand in glove with Labor, the whole thing will be history in a year. Grass-roots rage will be mollified by Rupert's glowing coverage of every inhalation and exhalation of this cowboy outfit, and every possible distraction.

Small, large, and little white tonys will be oft repeated and by next election, we'll be lying in the bed made for us with no recollection of ever being so utterly screwed.

Abbott is a pragmatic power lustful person just like Gillard and Rudd. Abbott used our dissatisfaction with the CO2 tax to gain power of the Coalition. He is really ambivalent to this tax.

I think Abbott will water down his austerity a bit and the electorate will be thankful for small mercies.

Use Clive Palmer as a wedge to drive the electorate away from the major parties until we find a party that is not corporate controlled.

...I have an idea that may support the theory of rebellion proposed here. As the 60’s was a “coming-out” for the drug culture; the drug of peace was Marijuana at that time: why not stick to the theme and use our current drug of rage as a weapon, “Crack” cocaine.

...What exquisite uncontrolled violence could be directed towards Canberra by a swathe of withdrawing drug addicts. It’s an unused weapon of mass destruction, never before used for political purposes.

...I “bags” the credit for the idea!

Graham,

It's not just the old notion of the lying pollie.

It's that the electorate was deceived wholesale.

That the govt has seen fit to explode their election foundation so early in the term in one fell swoop only adds to the fury of those who fell for it.

Mr Abbott, the day before the election, assured Australians there would be not cuts to health and education, no changes to pensions, no cuts to the ABC and SBS...etc.

The post-election govt agenda bares almost no resemblance to their stance in the run up.

They duped the electorate "wholesale".

Deception "on this scale" by a newly elected govt is unprecedented.

And they are now lying about their lies.

ELECTION NOW!
mikk,
that just riecks of a massive overdose of ignorance. Say something more productive please.

ahem/graham-quote..<<..Other times..the pitch..is coloured>>

shaded?..as opposed/to black/white..or shades of grey?

coulourfull-pitch..[pitch=iS.ALLWAYS BLACK-ops]

COLOUR/PITCH...<<..by the knowledge..>>
[HOPE/EXPECTATION/PROMISE?]..<<..that there's..no personal harm..in being..>>[PROMISSORY-eerily-]..<<>.reckless,..*because*..the chances of..winning..the next election..*are non-existent,>>

like when john..threw the 20 billion tax cut-out..to the rich
and krud got sukkerd into..going along/with\that 20 bilion annual black..[as pitch]..hole

<<>.so delivery.of a promise..>>
reaped its .,.ill harvest/FRUITS....now we are.100 billion further into the ratshole..[even though ..john/sorry peter..did have a claw back plan/5/YEARS\LATE

..that..joe is..even/Now following/built upon the unholy myth of the 'best'/treas0nor/lol\..[who sold*off..the family silver]..lol

<<>>is..a non-problem.>>

not quite..its the root/of this..current problem
[see.the/myth/lied..by what..wa.s implIED..[imp-lied./get it]

not..'the greatest treasurer/but the biggest thiefs treason

[where*r*I/now?..peter/pimp/became over-eater
its/well..your masters\write..the histry.

and yes the pattern..of gold thievery/theft/was all
just to buya..f lower dollaruture/positions../for expert dual passport exporters to loot[export]..out their loot...
http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2010/05/will-silver-and-gold-prices-rise-now-that-the-feds-are-launching-criminal-and-civil-investigations-into-manipulation-of-the-silver-market.html

http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2014/01/jp-morgan-pays-2-billion-avoid-madoff-ponzi-investigation.html

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/07/03/jpmorgan-role-in-power-market-comes-under-scrutiny/

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304830104575172280848939898.html?mod=WSJ_Markets_MIDDLETopNews

http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2010/03/lehman-fraudulently-cooked-its-books-accounting-giant-ernst-young-helped-geithner-and-bernanke-winked-and-slapped-them-on-the-back.html

ITS EASY/TO/BE\GREAT..just doas your told
hand over/the royal/mint/federal reserve ya silver asnd your gold[oh and ya nATIONAL BANKS AND YA TELSTRRAS AND YA WATER POWER GAS TOO

now/go to war/buy some useless hanger ornaMENTS
RENT AN EXPERT/ one of the pentagram..contr0lled by the hex-agone
http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2009/09/credit-rating-agencies-took-bribes-for-higher-ratings.html
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/unsealed-documents-expose-morgan-stanley-forcing-rating-agencies-inflate-ratings
http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2010/10/at-the-root-of-the-crisis-we-find-the-largest-financial-swindle-in-world-history-where-counterfeit-mortgages-were-laundered-by-the-banks.html

http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2014/05/enron-2-0-wall-street-wants-manipulate-state-energy-markets-just-like-manipulates-every-market.html

WE GET THE LEADER/THEY SELECT..[but to be selected/you have to do as your told/its not rocket science/thus the fix is we need one trhat gives orders/not takes them..but gives them/to not fill their own accounts/

money supply has corrupted.. politics
but the debts now layed upon us all/have become the sign/grimeof the time

time please gentlemen/go home and beat ya wives/girlfiends]toyboy-fiends.. and kiddies/for a while..your new orders will be in your face..when you awake...[if/we\want/you..we/will\..ring/da*bells..

recall pres kennerdie/pres order 11.110
or even..pm..horrid-holt..you dont touch the bankers..orthey touch you
[heck even a tough buy like cockey joe hokie..and the sour craught..
so much/we need know/tell/explaon..hold-to/account.

but bail-in..will fix everything
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Front_running

the pyramind needs inverting/the hourglass..is near empty...
the rest is urgent/over due/unfairly targeted at the great enslaved debtors [they bankrupted the states/fed needs bailout state/or the bankers screw us even more/

re nationalize all finance institutions [this boom bust hyperinflation bubbles trouble has to end[return coin to its traditional values]..see wikiseed/wikigeld/suntreaty.

Graham congratulations on your efforts to defend the indefensible.

My Father who lived in Ireland was well known for always telling the truth, he was asked by a politician on one occasion "why he did not lie occasionally? because it makes it terrible difficult for me to know when you are telling the truth" The problem for the liberals is now we know.

No there is no need for politicians to lie. Those that do almost always get caught out and pay the price. People find it insulting to be lied to and it does nothing for ones reputation to be considered a liar.

The problem the liberals have created for them selves is the huge mismatch between what the said they would do and what they are trying to do. Note what Abraham Lincoln said:-
”You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.”

Politicians love to label their opponents as liars and in most cases it is stretching a point. As in the example you gave in relation to John Howard and Mark Latham. Howard stated an opinion which Latham disagreed with. Latham was exaggerating calling Howard liar. On the other hand when the Liberals cut funding to any particular group after specifically stating they would not, they are digging a very big hole for themselves. This allows the opposition two free hits first that the Liberals can not be trusted to deliver on their promises ever again, and don’t let them take you for a mug a second time.

The bottom line to put it bluntly is Aussies are not impressed when anyone tries BS them.

Indefensible is the word. What makes it worse is they believe they have done nothing wrong. After what we were told, and what we have is about opposite.
If we defend this, we have no hope ever again of fair elections.
Joe said he doesn't think you have to tell lies to win an election.

Is that what you said when rabbott constantly bleated ELECTION NOW! for the last 3 years individual?

Indi's memory is not that great. The voters of AU, now that is totally different.
Policy by stealth, and not very well done at that. To many alterations to be any good.
Australians like their lives the way it is, it would have been far better to increase the GST by 1% / yr ongoing for a few years.

I am still wondering why people who break wedding vows (promises) are not called liars but pollie who don't fulfill promises are!

Oh, but they are, runner...

"I am still wondering why people who break wedding vows (promises) are not called liars..."

Usually very loudly and oftentimes very publicly by the (ex)spouses to whom the vows were made.

But we are fortunate in Australia to enjoy both the legal invention of a 'no-fault' divorce as well as its political comparison where a government looses office at an election - when there is definitely fault attributed.

Sorry WmTrevor, I can't agree with that.

It was only after the introduction of the 'no-fault' divorce, that we got the situation that the lady who runs away with the milkman can get the bloke chucked out of the house so she can live in it with the milkman. The bloke will get lumbered with feeding the milkman as well, if there were any kids.

Prior to this, she would have had to live with the cost of her decision.

Doesn't that show you you were not looking after your escapee good enough, and this is why it ran away with the milkman. Justice was served on the offending party.

some might call/that government..insolvent.
Ponzi finance..will not continue forever.
http://news.goldseek.com/GoldSeek/1389797704.php

(Inflation was created..via fractional reserve banking
debasing coinage..or instead of the usual..printing paper.)





Because of government greed,..its need for power over people, and every politician’s desire to meddle and spend,.*government granted bankers the power to create*..and control currency,..[monetize debt, fix interest rates,/EXCHANGE-AND INTREST RATES..and so much more.
http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2014/05/enron-2-0-wall-street-wants-manipulate-state-energy-markets-just-like-manipulates-every-market.html

Central Banking was born...In return government could spend in excess,..borrow from bankers,..members of the legislature collected handsomely from the banking community,..national debts expanded, and interest expense paid..on those debts grew..*to outrageous levels.

Politicians,..their friends,..favored industries,
PRIVATE TAXFREE-TRUSTS,,and bankers won,..while most others lost.

From a brilliant essay by Jeff Nielson:..(Inflation was created via fractional reserve banking.instead of the usual debasing..OF/printing paper...BUT EFFECTIVLY DEBASING..OF THE-PEOPLES.coinage)


The fires of inflation have destroyed most of the value
of the currency unit..OF..each dollar in circulation.[DEBASED COIN..INTO TREASON.]



Because of government greed, its need for power over people, and every politician’s desire to meddle and spend, government granted bankers the power to create and control currency, monetize debt, fix interest rates, and so much more. Central Banking was born. In return government could spend in excess, borrow from bankers, members of the legislature collected handsomely from the banking community, national debts expanded, and interest expense paid on those debts grew to outrageous levels. Politicians, their friends, favored industries, and bankers won, while most others lost.
When Deflation Becomes Hyperinflation.



“As the debts go higher and higher (which can only end in a deflationary crash); we see the money-printing accelerating at least as quickly, if not faster (which can only end in hyperinflation).”



politicians,..[public servants]..and owners of debt based
*[NON-bonDed..EVEN DEBASED assets]..HOPE the reckoning will be delayed a little longer...But the day of reckoning does come. Enron, MFGlobal,..JP-MORGAN..Zimbabwe,..MONSANTO/Weimar Germany,Argentina, and 100 other collapses and hyperinflations are NOT exceptions...BUT the rule.[timing=everything]



Fire and Ice/Inflation and Deflation.
Inflationary depression,.deflationary depression,
one before the other,..or simultaneously?=stagflation.



Will we burn..in the Fire of inflation or freeze in an Icy deflationary depression? Or will our politicians make..it “all good” forever?..and declare odious-debt..renationalise/the stolen states assets,..immediatly..[at reduced pricing]

Many voters make decisions based on limited information. Furthermore, most the important issues are so complex that it is possible to baffle most of us with bulldust. Seemingly simple statistics, such as the unemployment rate or level of government debt can be fudged by carefully wording definitions. Therefore, we aren't sure who, if anyone, to believe.

General impressions of people fill this void. Julia Gillard was seen as decent, but incompetent. She seemed utterly lost when polls started going against her. KRudd initially seemed smart and caring, but this first impression gradually faded. Few people believe that PM Abbott is the nicest bloke imaginable, but his competence is generally respected.