The sleazy rodents have infiltrated our parliament and were able to get other rodents to be accepted to be their tribunal and determine an unjustified, unearned, unwarranted, extra high increase to parliamentarian salaries. It will be a further degeneration the economy and other areas of prosperity of our country. Unfortunately although it was started and set up by the Labor party, when it was put into cabinet, Tony and all the members of the parties have grabbed it as if they really deserved it. What a dirty joke, it just shows that the only people who go for parliament, are just there for the money. I wish we could get honest people into parliament, don’t you? The people offering to beome a member of parliament, is supposed to be representative of the population, not an over- representative of a certain section, which is what we have got now, and dishonest as well. We need a party with a good constitution with members who sign that they will honour it and carry on with dependably honesty.

Maybe I'm not close enough to either party to get the differences but just what would be the difference between the proposed new party and the Green's?

From the outside it seems that the Labor left might as well split off and join the Green's.

There seems to be lot's of opportunities for shuffling except for the electoral risks and minor quibbling. The liberals in the Liberal/National Coalition could split off and form a liberal party. Perhaps the religious right from both Labor and the Liberals/National parties could merge.

R0bert

Well said Klaas.

I have refused even to let my preference flow to Labor, it is so rotten. It is a major obstacle to reasonable governance of Australia.

Both major groups would do the country a favour by fragmenting. Right wing nutters have taken over the Libs, so the few sane people left there would be better off splitting.

The Looney left has already split off to join the greens.

The ALP has become a deeply conservative Party of the Centre Right that is out of touch with a growing number of Australian voters, especially the minority and marginalised groups. Both Elder and Younger voters all looking at turning to the Greens as their living conditions and quality of life is becomeing unjustifiably unsustainable.

Australia is losing its way. It may be the richest economy at present but it is also the most unproductive when it comes to upholding inclusion of the whole population. Social Isolation is on the rise. It is a cohesive breakdown at community levels and something institutions and government themselves cant fix.

Lost is our social capital as our values and goodwill is being out sourced by economic policies that overide the human value of participation and community ownership.

It is as though the Howard years are back. Voters are being shut out of almost every door except on Talkback radio.

One wonders who is the "status quo" these days if not a selected few. The rest are many clinging to life-styles they cant afford, in fear of losing their grip if they don't tow the line.

Your article helps Klaas Woldring, but we need to dig deeper because it seems all goal posts have been moved. ie: The marginalised are now even more socially and economically marginalised. Not even Hope, due to the snatched rise of 'spin' is on the table.

Just look at what is occuring between Indigenous Rights and Mining. How there is a complete silence on this issue. Compare that to the 'Shut the Gate' claims.

So much of what matters needs greater balance.

Stark is the issue of ABC programes being out-sourced. A betrayal of one of the last entities we once claimed was public.

Thank You for the article.

http://www.miacat.com/

MiaCat Living conditions and quality of life is becoming unsustainable.
What is quality of life, What conditions do you like to live under. These are at the discretion of the individual, there are no set rules. Some people live like pigs, and some live the lifestyle of a princess. I do not know how you can have a standard. Quality of life, is another individual choice, you can live on drugs, or alcohol. I am lost as to what you are suggesting, Both of these, are an individual choice.