The Australian government exists to implement the will of the people. That's its only official job. And you don't have to even leave this forum to discover that the 'will of the people' is fragmented, schizophrenic, paranoid, self-contradictory and often delusional. I think the current government is doing a pretty good job of putting that into practice, don't you?

The single most effective thing that any politician could do to improve the state of the nation would be to support training for all in critical thinking and rational decision-making. But since this would inevitably reduce the people's enthusiasm for blindly supporting ideological movements, it would be what Sir Humphrey would call a 'very brave decision'.

Sorry Herbert, I can't wear that.

Obama is using the Environment protection authority to institute dozens of changes, to please his green backers.

Many of these changes were voted down by the house, but he is doing it any way.

Don't think a PM could get away with that here. They would at least have to shove it through parliament, in the bright light of day, not through a back door in the dark.

An adversarial model may have been appropriate for a horse and cart parliament, seeking to rein in the absolute power of absolute monarchs?
But does nothing for a modern democracy, other than endlessly defer essential reform and or overdue capital projects.
Simply put, any infrastructure deferred for around a decade, doubles in cost!
This last week demonstrates far better, than any evocation from me, why we ought to reform parliament!
The archaic adversarial model, has had its time and then some, and should go.
The contest of ideas ought to be expanded and advocated during election time, with the contest winner given free rein, [a fair dinkum mandate,] to follow through with their intending agenda, even if it should include items, like mining the "reef", or utilising our abundant and cheap energy to regrow our own manufacturing and export industries.
Without help or hindrance from an opposition simply opposing at every turn, for opposition sake and or, some perceived political advantage!
Besides, there clearly is enough divergent opinions in every party rooms, to ensure any measure is thoroughly debated, well before it hits the floor, and then only carried by an electronically assisted/protected secret ballot?
So that its passage or defeat, is not determined by in your face, wall punching bully boys?
This then would see some long term vision and the best most capable persuasive speakers and reason, win the day, rather than the most arrogant alpha male personality?
And, an electronically assisted and protected secret ballot in both places, would allow merit and the best ideas to win the day, rather than, odious lobbyists, and stultifying political mindsets.
The adversarial model might serve political parties and or proponents!
But judging solely on its record, it has not served, we the people!
And if the govt fails to deliver, then we have a free press, an independent judiciary and election time reprisals!
A non adversarial model, at least on the floor, would prevent the sort of kangaroo court, unedifying, puerile, shambollick displays on show, in recent weeks!
We deserve far better than that, from allegedly, grown mature adults!?
Rhrosty.

In response to Chris Lewis' call for examples of a better system, can I ask you to look at the Advancing Democracy model at www.advancingdemocracy.info. Though mainly directed at preventing another 1975, it would also improve Parliament by replacing the Speaker with a new head of state, who would have enhanced powers to enforce his or her decisions. That's a start towards improving Parliament, but mainly it's up to the voters to choose different representatives.

For now, let's stick to the royal commission to investigate child sex abuse, which does so much damage to innocent kids, who grow up to be adults.

Then maybe all the other problems in Australia might be answered..
Granted, I do not live in Australia... but I do believe that when a child suffers so much trauma, if affects the whole community..

Let's start from the beginning... and then other issues will fall into place.

Judy Jones, SNAP Survivors Network of those abused by Priest.

Well I'll agree with you there Rhrosty. Never have liked a bunch of Keating's "non representative swill" holding the whip hand over an elected government.

If we elect them, we should let them implement their policies.

If those policies are really bad, they will be chucked out, with those policies at the next election. Much better than half implemented policies, not biting hard enough, to show if they are good or bad.