"Think about it this way; how could you sensibly debate economics, public finances, climate change or even foreign policy without having qualifications in one or more of law, economics, accounting or the sciences".

Absolute garbage. I am a so-called academic, and I will state that i hear more commonsense about real issues on building sites, at least thus far.

Seriously? A bloke from a building site without a degree can understand the intricacies of macroeconomics and set economic policy for Australia? He could probably do it if he was trained to do it. But thats the same thing with most jobs.

I will qualify what I said. I speak for the humanities section.

Nevertheless, are some of those with supposed eco credenetials that smart? Take the US. How long do those galahs think they can go printing money as if it grows on trees without adequate regard for the US's viability in the future?

I don't like academics - those who can apply academic form and write lovely essays - claiming they are the be all and end all of knowledge.

This article is written by an educational supremacist no better than your average ONP candidate.

And if you can't understand that allowing women to use dangerous drugs to abort future generations is a recipe for cultural suicide, then you 'ain't much of a thinker.'

Vote for Tony all the same though. I like the man!

"It’s a loser’s card but Pauline and the ONP play it well."
Abbott, Andrews, Bernadi & Morrison are reasonably adept players.
It's core Liberal policy.
Tony will step up allright.......to encourage this kind of perverted thinking

Just for what it's worth on the "common sense" debate, I recognise and value the need for suitable subject knowledge for anyone involved in any political portfolio, but I am a bit sceptical of the full-blown academics - those who have learned from books, history, debating and various theories, but have NO real-life, real world experience to either work from or base their policies on. I think I would welcome a suitably qualified but "real-world blooded" expert in any field representing the best interests of Australia.
Expecting a single leader to be expert across all fields is a bit unrealistic I feel, but a good leader should surround himself/herself with experts in their respective fields all of whom need that magical factor of "public appeal" and the ability to communicate policy in a clear and concise manner to the masses.
Building sites (and indeed many other "working class/common folk" forums) are great for getting feedback on the effectiveness of the messages Government wish to promote, but will rarely generate the initial policy initiative, and nor should we expect them to, but they all have their place and their part to play.
Isn't democracy grand?
Cheers
Greg