Yes Peter, good summary of the issues to face us in 2012 and the state of politics. I too am underwhelmed by the leaders though Abbott parroting the 'Conservatives' relentless spin doctor inspired negativity strategy is most odious to me.

I am dismayed with the shadowy power politics being played by various factions of a Labour party run by the interests of 10% of workers (mainly high paid) who belong to powerful unions. We have got to a situation where corporations (both private and state) work mostly to 'pad their own nests' not the good of the world and this rot is 'top down'. The majority, who live on what they can eke out of their own micro-businesses, low or modest wages or benefits need to realize the power they could have if only they organized and mobilized.

But I disagree with your statement that Gillard hasn't achieved reforms; they claim over 200 pieces of legislation passed and at least now we have a carbon price and action on carbon, albeit watered down by the corporations who really rule this country. Yes it is her ability to negotiate and include that got her there (they'd all had a gut-full of Rudd's autocracy). Politics being in reality the 'art of the possible', I think that's actually more important in a leader than charisma, of which I agree she has little.

My tip for an improvement in Australian politics: follow our cousins across the Tasman and adopt the mixed member proportional representation. Having lived in NZ I can say their debate is much more sensible and things are achieved without the bad feeling we have here. (OK it does tend to centre on Rugby and end at the Chatham Islands but it's the process I'm talking about).

PS Hasbeen - me too "it is so hard not to say what I think of this rubbish(that you write). Go back and join the Tories of Dickensian England.

Gillard should not have bastardised the Speakers position instead Jools could and should have smiled demurely at Malcolm Turnbull .

Given all the Gillard got through a hung parliament, she simply has to be a bit smarter than the Abbott/Gillard, Punch and Judy show would suggest? She does seem to lack communicating skills; given good communicating skills would have seen her explain why she simply couldn't keep her no carbon tax commitment and still govern!
It was not like Bob Brown and the Greens gave her any other choice. However, an Abbott govt, would have likely been a lot worse, with reduced spending and belt tightening; the very worse response to the GFC?
It does seem the both major parties have morphed into pale reflections of the other, with both moving further to the right; and or, focusing almost exclusively on the needs and wishes of very big business; rather than the electors, who placed them in their very privileged positions?
My solution would be for every thinking voter; to simply place the incumbent, [except where the seat is retained by a true independent,] last on the ballot paper, every time for several elections, with their preference partners directly above!
The very first outcome would be to stop that one third of voters, who simply don't understand politics or the issues; from effectively deciding the outcome on personalities, spin and theatre?
The second outcome would be the progressive removal of all career politicians; but particularly those who have not held a real job in the real world; and simply have no real ideas?
Just endlessly recycled party political mantras?
We do need new blood and new ideas and a real not a pretend democracy! Pre-selection by the people would be a useful start; as would proportional representation that effectively ends the shameful manipulation of the preferential system!
Yes, we need a recycled Rudd almost a badly As a self appointed endlessly pontificating potentate; or as another poster put it, a hole in the head!
New blood and new ideas! Really, why not?
Surely it would be very hard to do much worse?

This author was going OK untill he started on about the effects of climate change and later about global warming.

I dismiss as lacking common sense writers that persist to try and validate the AGW hoax.

respond to the real threats, especially climate change".
Prompete,
What response will stop this threat ? A Carbon tax ?