When the Australian constitution was written, it surely was written solely for politicians, because the people are unable to alter it or commence the process to alter it, and consequently, the only alterations that are made has to be instigated by politicians, but has to be passed by the majority of the people in all the States. This has a bit of safety, but not enough. There should have been provision for a safe non parliamentarian - no party person, to place any proposal to alter the conditions, salary and perks for our employees. It is then up to those who decide they want to be a parliamentarian, but the onus should be on the public– the employers, not on the people who are applying for that position of employee. They have an integrity commission in parliament, but the members can hardly say that they have any integrity, because when they join their party, they sign a promise that they will obey the decisions of the majority, I wouldn't call that integrity.

examinator, what "we" have done is vote out a poor government and refuse to allow an inept oppostion to take the reigns.
3 moments in the life of the last government stand out for me; the Indonesian solution on boat people, the ETS backflip and the super tax fiasco. Together these indicated a love of power over principle.
Tony arrgh Abbotts arr faltering delivery indicated that he was not arrgh across his brief, or not convinced of the merits of the arguments he was making.
This will be the high water mark for the Greens, they will no longer have the luxury of always being so smugly correct.

SM old mate,

>" *and the country's distrust of the greens*? "<

Wanna try again? Just in case you haven't noticed the greens
a. prefer over all Labor to Liberal (that's why it's called PREFERENTIAL voting. it pays attention to the majority *preferred* govt.)

b. the Greens won the biggest result ever. They even deliberately hold the power balance in the senate!

Your reasoning as usual is predicated on the facts that benefit the side you prefer. In this case selective disregard for preferential voting.
Did you forget that your side is a coalition two parties that exchange preferences.

Since when is 30 + % a majority of 100?

Two party PREFERRED is a total view of the majority of people.

You can't have it both ways. That's BS

The Liberals suffer from being a bunch of mean spirited BOYS who lied about real benefits of the stimulus package,couldnt put their costings up for scrutiny,dont understand technology and have no real economic understanding or vision.

Labor gave out all of the stimulus packages, Labor this term have not exhibited their costs for public scrutiny, if Labor comprehended technology they would be paying the 4.2 Billion [only a starting figure]they wasted as a result of no economising nor vision BigDamo65.

You have accurately described Labor's term under both KR and JG.

On most occasions Labor have ever held office, Billions in debt are left for the Liberals/Nationals/Coalition to devise strategies and implement those strategies much to the dislike of Australians who VOTED Labor causing the Deficit during those Labor terms.

Have you experienced 20 years of the Labor Liberal ping pong? If so, why on earth have you not observed the facts BigDamo?

Mate, unless you grow and export, not a good idea to throw comments around targetting farmers up north or anywhere. They are and have always been, the backbone of Australia and Australians along with other businesses.

we are unique
I have been around a long time and yes i have seen a lot of both parties.
As far as critisizing farmers my critisism was not against the majority of farmers who undoubtedly contribute greatly to the economy under adverse conditions while working EXTREMELY hard.Quite a few of which are effected by the rice growers water consumption
My critisism is directed purely at the fools who insist on growing the thirstiest crop in the driest country.For that critisism i make absolutely no apology and have every right to say it even as a non farmer.
Pure logic dictates its own indisputable truth.
As to the coalition being left to clean up a Labor parties debt i agree that happened under John Howard but if you are talking about the current stimulus package please pedal your rubbish to someone stupid enough to believe Joe Hockeys rhetoric

Has anyone seen the last two interviews with Rob Oakeshott, in particular the one on Lateline tonight on the A.B.C ?
He came across as intelligent, honest, transparent and just plain bloody decent.I wish he had of been in my electorate he definitely would have got my vote.
While the other 2 independants both have valid positions i have found him to be the best by far.