...What these incidences of apparent ineptitude demonstrate to the politically initiated, is the total lack of “connect” of both major parties, to the broader populace. Both parties cater entirely to their narrow sectional interest at the huge expense of the unrepresented majority.

Agree with Diver Dan.
And just another entirely incompetent example, of an unrepresentative swill or tail that wags the dog, that changes the rules and shifts the goal posts; once the metaphorical game is under-way; and the place kick taken! If the opposing members were risking or wasting their own money, we surely would have been presented with a far more sane/logical outcome/solution?
If there was a late seen problem that emerged, then surely a logically led Govt, would have allowed the duly licensed operation to proceed on a purely probationary basis, with more evidence based science and actual professionally monitored operations, allowed/relied on, to decide whether a provisional licence would be transferred into something more long term, or terminated?
Not all that long ago, a film made in Czechoslovakia and simply called Insane; relayed a story, where the inmates had taken over and were running the asylum.
While one is not saying, that it is representative of what now seems to be par for the course in Australian politics? It does throw up some interesting parallels?
Rhrosty.

Rhrosty, you have just described Australian Politics brilliantly !

I am always amazed and dismayed by the way that such tiny, narrow sectional interests, as noted by Diver Dan, can have their sway on the vast majority of the electorate. Simon has highlighted a disastrous path this incompetent government has placed us on. As pointed out by Rhosty, the lunatics truly have taken over the asylum!

This government is going to create such problems far into the future and these are not 'unintended consequences', but the 'bleedin obvious'

One has to ask, with the near consensus that the "politicians are to be reviled", who keeps voting them in ?

Hand on heart, not one politician I have voted for in 20 years at any level of Government has been elected, so don't look to blame me for this parlous state of affairs.