Our mining industry might be 'the best thing since sliced bread' - and we may or may not be getting our, Aussie, fair share of the wealth generated - but this article raises another, and perhaps overriding question: is our relatively 'hit and miss' style of government really the best we can do?

A review of our governments' performances, even over recent times, certainly reveals some major successes as well as major failures, but one reality seems clear: our governmental system is ponderous, doesn't demonstrate a high degree of reliability, is subject to significant, and often overriding interest in its, or their, particular 'political' philosophy (ie of its, or their, policy imperatives, and that of its, or their, satisfaction of prime 'constituents'), is subject to significant pressures from various 'vested interest' groups, and is enormously expensive to maintain - irrespective of outcomes.

Democracy is great, but how about a democratically elected Public Corporation, whose Board, CEO, and key executives are elected from candidates demonstrating attributes key to those positions - positions and Position Descriptions which have been determined to accord with a Corporate Plan and Charter as drafted and proposed by an appropriately astute Board of Trustees/Governors selected from the ranks of our most learned and revered elders. Corporate Plan and Charter would have to accord with our existing Constitution and Bill of Rights, take account of existing international agreements and responsibilities, and hold its primary responsibility to be the due interests of the investors - being the Aus populace - and our Aus national sovereignty. Ten year terms for all positions, subject to annual performance review, and mandatory retirement at age 75.

Separate, and duly elected, Heads of an Audit Body, with responsibility for fiscal and performance review(s).

No more hung parliaments, no more interstate rivalry or underhanded competition, no more 'dead wood' or policy 'tangents'. Worth a thought?