Of course, if the public were allowed to initiate binding referendums on issues, the government would not be able to claim a monopoly on averting things that Australians 'fear'- and are left with nothing BUT positive proposals to make.

Malaysia is not off the radar yet.

Not many really helpful comments on this thread, IMHO, but I have to agree that we are in a rather leaky boat.

Our author appears to be conflicted as to his primary concern - is it our general, or only our contemporary, political quagmire; or is it our government's and opposition's inability to resolve our "border protection" problems effectively? I can only make an each-way bet.

For my money, there has been too much tearing down of policy and legislation under this federal government, rather than improving and moving forward - the sad and defective "Fair Work Australia" "reform" being a glowing example. While Abbott appears to be getting lost in a "negativity" trance, Labor appears to be chasing a "dream" of a sweeping vote-winning reform to carry Ms Gillard and Labor to an exceedingly unlikely win at the next election - rather than pursuing modest innovation to keep Aus on an even keel and making sound headway. The main problem in our democratic governance appears to be blinkered focus on the next election, rather than on the long term stability and prosperity of the nation and its constituentcy as a whole.

As for border protection, recent reports on the deficiencies of the detention system are compelling, and any continuation of this system in its present form can only be considered inhumane. There appears to be only one effective, though exceedingly difficult solution to ours and the world's refugee problem - to stop all boats at embarkation point, and to work strenuously to resolve the causes of refugee migration in their countries of origin. Hard sell, harder to achieve.

In Aus, my suggestion would be to establish farms and/or industrial enclaves where asylum seekers may work, have their families together, learn trades, and have a reasonably "normal" lifestyle whilst awaiting the outcome of their claims. From there they should hopefully move into productive employment and safety within our community. Though non-refugees may have an extended stay, at least they may be productive and remain sane, whilst awaiting resolution of their plight. Cheque-book compassion, but win-win.

Serco, a major blunder.

Of course, you should always ask these areas with skill shortages if they actually WANT to be the ones who are responsible with actually providing the 'compassion' that the rest of Australians would be taking credit for- and of course, letting them know which asylum seekers they will be receiving.

Garum Marsala,

You Cannot just Uberrima Fides(perfect good faith) Democracy back into existence after global imperial corporations have eroded it past extinction.

In Roman times UF was code for pulling the wool over the pleb's eyes while you took their lolly pops.

It is NO different today.
But Emperor Claudius found a way and a reason to cut through the BS.
He took a carving knife to the corn Factors and freed the Roman populace from tyranny.

Today the same Claudian approach must be enunciated and then put in motion:
Take a carving knife to the Oil & Coal giants and OReilly & Murdoch Factors and force them to drill and promote:

* one successful Hot Rock GEOTHERMAL well for every 9 Oil wells.
* Pay the US president & Australian PM the same Remuneration as the highest paid CEO in each country.

The last order may seem contrary to Positive attitudes but believe me the fiscal bases are loaded and that move is akin to hitting a HOME RUN.
Untrained minds may not understand but CEO's do.