The only difference that Shorten will bring to government is open borders: the boats will be line astern over the horizon. All the Left lunacy of the Turbull government will still be there. Many conseravtive commentators agree that we will have to endure a Labor government for a term or two until something better than the Coaliton comes along. We can hope, of course, and that hope should be for a good showing by the Australian Conservatives to police whichever dead-head we get from Labor of Liberal.

We don't have a lot to look forward to in Australia, thanks to poor quality politicians who have sold us out.

I find very little to recommend this attempted analysis.

The Author comes across as a hidebound RR conservative for who reform and or pragmatism are dirty words?

It's a very long time since we had progressive conservatives in power. And when I say progresive I'm referring to that brand of conservatism that was guided by a now missing conscience. Which has been replaced, I believe, by rank self serving opportunism.

And I believe, the single reason why we no longer have affordable housing or affordable energy.

Progressive conservatives invariably voted with their conscience, ended child labour, slavery and introduced the emaciation act that took religion out of politics, at least that was, I believe, the original intention. Plus they gave women the right to vote?

What's missing in alleged conservative ranks, is minds coupled to scientific knowledge and rigour and in their place. I believe, are self serving hypocrites pretending to care.

Thus we have counterproductive negative gearing applied to the most expensive residential real estate market, awash with the white shoe brigade, an army of real estate agents, between them, the only ones receiving a real profit from this absurdity.

You know that obscenity, that turns up to church on Sunday, sits/stands at the front and quotes chapter and verse from a book they manifestly, only ever give lip service to.

And instead of powerful Disraeli like persuasion, coupled to genuine courage of conviction. Are limited to divide and rule politics that have been so successful, most western societies are now a house divided against themselves and where extremists once more are finding popular support!

I could refer you to what I wrote just yesterday to reverse this malaise, except it'd be an utter waste of time/casting pearls before swine, whose only goal is winning and whatever it takes to achieve that end. Even a hopelessly divided nation going backwards at a rate of knots!
Alan B.

The luv the abc has for Turnbull shows how regressive he is. His only achievements have been stopping the illegals and scrapping the carbon fraud. Oh that's right it was Tony Abbott who did that. Just imagine Labour was still in power. How many more Islamic terrorist and sympathizers would we have in Australia? The abc must be so proud they managed to protect their overpaid presenters by their hatred of decency and backing of Malcolm.Australia is stuffed.

If Turnbull is willing to dismantle the Liberal brand for his own ego, I won't shed a tear. Australia's not short of political parties, and if the Libs go then someone else will soon take their place.

What I find far worse is that Turnbull is willing to dismantle the NBN for his own ego.

True ttbn, it is only that enough members of the Liberals are moderately sane that stops Turnbull opening the flood gates of boat people as Shorten & Labor will if given the chance.

I even can agree with Alan that Oz is a "hopelessly divided nation going backwards at a rate of knots", unfortunately he has no idea of the reasons for this slide.

If he was to first blame the unions, & perhaps the radical womens liberation movement, it would be a useful start, but the rest is even worse.

We can blame many of our troubles on the fools of KRudd & Gillard, with the stupid policies of KRudd, & the actually vindictively introduced policies of Gillard.

The NBN, National Disability Insurance Scheme, & Gonski are stand outs, particularly when on top of the drunken sailor spending of Rudd after the great financial crisis.

It is obvious that Turnbull is a hopeless & gutless manager, who could not ever provide the policies to correct any of this, but Shorten will only give more of the same, or worse, along with open boarders.

God help our grand kids.

Some people have no shame. They'll support Labor no matter how incompetent Labor proves to be.

Here's our old far Left mate Aidan ignoring the only facts that matter about the NBN: it's already way, way, way over budget, with more waste to come, and it doesn't work as touted.

Those two reasons alone should have seen the NBN abandoned as soon as Turnbull became communications minister. The problem at that time, however, was that the communications minister was...Malcolm Turnbull.

Never mind, Aidan. Against all the evidence, just keep telling people the NBN is wonderful. Blow smoke in their faces when they complain about the cost and that it doesn't work as promised.