Jay at least you appear to be awake to what is happening in our country. The problem which confronts those of us that are aware is the multitudes of people who are not. In this day and age with computers it is easy to research to find the answers and understand what a DEMOCRACY is compaired to TIRRANY.
Last night I was at a party and spoke to a couple of freinds who are bordering on 50. I raised the subject of DEMOCRACY I had their attention for a short while and although at first they appeared to be interested, their comment almost knocked me of my feet when they said, "Who would listen to the minority against the majority", When I attempted to explain what could be acheived by the minority uniting and talking to people they know in the hope of educating more people so as to increase the minority of numbers until the minority becomes a mojority, they said we are not interested. I find it disturbing that so many of our Australian people have a defeatist attitude.

people have a defeatist attitude.
gypsy,
whilst I agree with you I can, on the other hand, also identify with the defeatist attitude. On reaching 50 many people have bashed their head against the wall a lot & some youngster comes along with some idealistic speech, that's where this attitude comes into play.
The main cause being an over-sized & incompetent bureaucracy. Hangers-on in plain english.

> In many areas, we seem to lag, even behind the developing world. Why?

I've been making and listening to exactly the same comment and question now for more than forty years. I've often proposed reasons that are not only obvious, but shared by intelligent observers in other countries. Australians always reject them. Is there any use at all in presenting them again?

> Without masterful negotiations or bipartisan support for reform, we have a melting pot for inertia.

If you believe that the present crop of pollies is there to provide practical solutions, then you're terminally deluded. Their sole purpose is to fill roles that might otherwise be taken by thoughtful, energetic people whose actions would pose a real threat to the status quo.

> a sub optimal mix of candidates.

That's an exceptionally polite description of the white trash filling almost every parliamentary seat in the country.

> we have fewer issues focused debates and more fixed partisan positions, with vested interests buried in ideology and inaction.

Of course. As is, and has long been intended.

> where is the next Opera House, Harbour Bridge or renewed public transport system?

They aren't. These are projects in the public interest. Today's world is completely focussed on corporate (TNC) interests. What planet are you calling from?

> In many of Australia's media markets, only one single company dominates.

Naturally. Anything more might confuse the punters. "Follow the company line" is the rule.

> There are greater demands on our time and more attention to the short term than the longer term.

Keep the silly sods busy with trivia and they won't have time for important issues, even if they were smart enough to understand them, which they're not.

> Achieve electoral reform at candidate selection level through absolute transparency

"Absolute transparency" - what a wonderful delusion. How would you ensure this, or haven't you actually thought this through?

> a knowledge economy

Ah yes, a "knowledge economy". Just what is this marvellous creature that is the solution to all our woes? A data terminal at every bus stop? A Facebook page for every citizen? A guaranteed university degree for every imbecile?

> Overhaul media laws to achieve diversity, debate and responsible reporting

Exactly the same goal as every "overhaul of media laws" has trumpeted for the past century. Do you actually READ the newspapers, or are you writing from somewhere out past Betelgeuse?

> Look at what GetUp is achieving, for example.

Well, I looked. A whole heap of people are sitting in front of computers typing mindless trivia on their keyboards in the belief that this will actually achieve something. It won't, as innumerable events of the past two decades would prove to anyone living on the planet. Meanwhile, TNC CEOs and their minions are holding meeting after meeting in pursuit of their agendas, secure in the "knowledge" (note the word) that the plebs are busy with their "social media".

> We must achieve major reform and progress in these relatively strong economic times

Yes, of course. If it's not an impolite question: How?

> a democracy that's tested but not broken.

The ultimate delusion. Transmission received. Earth out.

@ Beelzebub.
Under normal circumstances I'd be having a go at you for using the racial epithet "White Trash" but for once it's in it's proper context.
These people look like me and mine but they have no loyalty to me and mine, Trash is an apt description.
Lord only knows what non White Australians must make of them.